Scam alert: UAE cops warn residents of 'cheap flat' ads

Top Stories

Embracing the bright side: A guide on how to cultivate optimism

The power of solitude: Why you should go on a solo trip

How to get your kids to read: Essential tips for parents

Scam alert: UAE cops warn residents of cheap flat ads

Abu Dhabi - Online ads promise flats that can be rented for 'extremely cheap' prices.

By Web Report

Published: Sun 28 Oct 2018, 5:12 PM

Looking to rent an accommodation? Don't fall for that online ad which promises a flat at an extremely cheap price. It could be fake and dupe you of your hard-earned money.
The Abu Dhabi Police have issued a warning about proliferating real estate scams that may rob a person of one's savings through bogus ads on social media websites.
Brigadier Mohammed Suhail Al Rashidi, acting director of the Criminal Security Sector of the Abu Dhabi Police, has alerted all accommodation-seekers not to trust any ads on the internet or social media, "no matter how enticing they are".
He added that all rent contracts must be issued and validated from authorised governmental entities to avoid being trapped in scams.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Abu Dhabi Police ???? ?????? (@adpolicehq) on Oct 27, 2018 at 1:27am PDT

Al Rashidi said a person who wants to rent an accommodation must contact authorised real estate office, ask the brokers or agents to provide their emirates ID and get all necessary information. He emphasised that papers must be produced only in the authorised offices, and the contracts must be approved by the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities.
On its Instagram account, the Abu Dhabi Police added that many cases of fraud were recently recorded, and many suspects arrested after it was detected that these conmen were using counterfeit contracts, with names of fake companies.
All cases where fraudulent activities are suspected must be reported, said Brigadier Musallam Mohamed El Ameri, director of the Directorate of Police of External Areas. He added that the police are working on raising awareness regarding such scams to combat the growing crime.