Fake Agent Targets Suva Property Seekers

A local real estate company is warning the public to stay vigilant after reports emerged of a scammer impersonating a real estate agent and pressuring clients to pay rental bonds upfront.

Opal Real Estate director Senzie Kumar said the fraudster is targeting desperate property seekers in Suva, exploiting high demand and urgency to secure rentals.

“It’s mostly people who are in a rush or are desperate to find something as soon as possible and there’s a huge demand for properties in the Suva area,” Mrs Kumar said.

“If you post anything closer to the city for anything less than $900, there’s a huge demand for it and these scammers know it because it’s hard to find properties near the Suva area, that offer lower prices.”

Mrs Kumar shared a recent case where a client was told to prepare a bond payment and wait at a property site.

Upon investigation, it was revealed that someone had impersonated an Opal Real Estate agent to collect money fraudulently.

Opal Real Estate Director Senzie Kumar.

Photo: Talei Roko

“I then visited the property site, spoke to the property owner and another tenant that was renting at a nearby property, that was when I found out that someone had impersonated Opal Real Estate and trying to take money from people,” she said.

She added that the individual used pressure tactics, urging the client to pay the rental bond quickly or risk losing the property to another applicant.

Mrs Kumar said this was the scammer’s way of pressuring the client to quickly give money.

“This is why awareness is important because if someone who doesn’t know the processes involved when buying or renting a property, he/she would fall for the trap and lose their hard earned money.

“Especially if you are someone who desperately needed to move the same day or within a week and you have children and wife who needs to be relocated, you will definitely want to get something quickly.”

Message exchange between the client and an individual claiming to work with Opal Real Estate and attempting to get money from the client

Mrs Kumar urged families not to send any payments via M-PAiSA or other methods before inspecting the property and confirming the agent’s identity. She advised anyone unsure to contact the real estate company directly.

Mrs Kumar advised that anyone unsure about an agent’s identity should contact the real estate company director directly for verification.

She stressed the importance of having all necessary information and documentation before entering into any rental or sale agreement.

“Any request for the information is important because investing in a property or property buying is a big commitment so that is why you need to have all the necessary documents before you enter into a sale and purchase agreement.”

Feedback: laiseana.nasiga@fijisun.com.fj