An apartment rental scammer exposed by the Anti-Scam Centre last week has created a new social media account advertising apartments for daily and monthly rent in Hulhumale'.
The individual previously operated a TikTok account under the name “Hulhumale' Daily Rent Apartment”, using the phone number 7217905. The account advertised apartments for daily and monthly rental, but people alleged on social media that they had paid money without being given access to the apartments.
Several people commenting on posts about the case said they had also been scammed through the account.
The account was deactivated after police publicized the case on social media.
However, the same phone number is now being used to operate a new TikTok account under the name “Bandaara Lodge”, which has nearly 700 followers.
The new account is advertising apartments for rent, with some posts using religious sounds to promote the properties and directing people to contact the same number to arrange rentals.
None of the posts on the new account had received comments yet.
Fraud and deception: How it is done
- False advertising: Taking pictures and videos of other people's apartments in order to get people interested, and advertising it for rent at inadequately cheap prices.
- Trying to get money quickly: Telling people that there are other customers asking to rent the apartment once communication on a messaging platform begins, and demand an advance immediately so that their booking can quickly be confirmed.
- Taking an advance payment: Telling people to deposit an advance payment between MVR 2,550 and MVR 10,000 to specific bank accounts.
- Using stolen documents and IDs: Sending stolen ID cards and invalid documents via chat to gain trust.
- Stop replying once they have the money: Immediately stopping communication with those sending money once the slip for the money transfer has been sent, without handing the apartment to them or their money back to them.
Police have urged everyone to check the apartments thoroughly before agreeing to rent them, and to not send any advance payments or booking fees without meeting with the owner of the building or a certified agent.
