KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) has issued a warning about the growing number of fake house renting agents in the country who disguise themselves as "professional agents."
Dr Saravanan Thambirajah, the consumer watchdog's secretary-general said these scammers often pose as legitimate agents and targeted unsuspecting tenants, including foreign students.
These scammers successfully lured victims by showing rental properties, collecting down payments and then disappear without fulfilling their promises, he said.
Dr Saravanan said many foreign students have fallen prey to these scams due to their ignorance about local rental practices or lack of access to genuine information.
"The scammers often present themselves as professional agents, using fake business cards, online advertisements, and social media profiles to appear credible," he said in a statement today.
Dr Saravanan said the property scammers modus operandi was to arrange property viewings and create a false sense of high demand for the property.
Their goal is to push their victims to make a quick careless decision and pay a downpayment for the non-existent unit, he said, adding that, once the money changed hand, the agents would disappear.
Dr Saravanan urged consumers to verify the credentials of the agent and the agency they represent by checking the details with the Companies Commission of Malaysia to avoid being deceived.
"Consumers should avoid making payments to personal bank accounts," he said, adding that renters must insist on stamped tenancy agreement documents and receipts for all payments.
"Fomca strongly urges government authorities and educational institutions to intensify efforts to educate the public and foreign students about these scams," he said.
Dr Saravanan said victims should lodge police reports and file a complaint to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) via the hotline 997.
More information about the NSRC and its services can be found on their website: nfcc.jpm.gov.my