True Story: Rental Scam in Singapore (What Happened and How to Protect Yourself)

I want to share something that happened to me recently, because it’s real, and it’s more common than you might think.

About a month ago, I received a message from someone who claimed to be a property agent. He said he had a tenant interested in viewing one of my listings. Everything sounded normal, so I agreed to arrange a viewing.

But when the day came, something felt off.

The “agent” didn’t show up.

I called him, and he told me he was overseas, so the tenant came alone. That immediately raised a red flag. In our industry, agents almost always attend viewings (unless we are dealing with someone whom we have dealt with before and the trust is there). It’s part of our job as a tenant’s agent: to represent the tenant, check the property, and negotiate the rent. 

Still, I carried on professionally. I conducted the viewing and, out of respect for the supposed agent, I didn’t ask for the tenant’s contact details so as not to undercut him.

After the viewing, I followed up with the agent. He told me the tenant wasn’t interested.

But that wasn’t the truth.

A few days later, the tenant found my listing online and reached out to me directly. That’s when I found out what really happened.

The tenant was interested. He had contacted the “agent” to proceed with the rental, and was given a fake proof of ownership. Trusting the process, he transferred S$4,600 to the fake agent to secure the unit.

And just like that, the scam was complete and the agent vanished into thin air.

The tenant later made a police report, and that was the last I heard from him.

A few days ago, it happened again.

Same pattern. Same story. Another number contacted me, claiming to be an agent with a tenant. Again, he said he couldn’t make it to the viewing because he was “overseas.”

This time, I trusted my instincts.

I had a chat with tenant and asked how he came to work with this agent. He told me he had posted his details online, and the agent reached out to him.

I immediately warned him, told him to be careful, that I couldn’t verify if this person was legitimate. After the viewing, I checked the agent’s phone number against the CEA registry (all legitimate agents are registered under this registry). 

To no one’s surprise: there was no record.

I made a police report and reached out to the tenant again, advising him not to transfer any money and to stop all dealings with that individual.

Thankfully, this time, we caught it early.

Tips for a first time Tenant in Singapore

Experiences like these are exactly why I take my role seriously, not just to help you find a place, but to protect you along the way.

If you’re renting in Singapore, here are a few things I strongly encourage:

1. Always verify your agent

Don’t just take someone’s word for it. Check their credentials through the CEA registry. Make sure their photo, name, and contact details match. If something feels off, it probably is.

2. Be cautious if an agent avoids meeting in person 

If someone keeps giving excuses, especially something like being “overseas”, that’s a major red flag. A real agent would in fact encourage you to meet in person, as they would also need to verify the legitimacy of the tenant. 

3. Never transfer money without proper verification

Before making any payment, confirm you are dealing with the rightful owner or their authorised representative. You can verify by asking for proof of ownership in the following ways:

The most reliable method is purchasing a "Property Ownership Information" report from INLIS. This search reveals the registered owner, property details, and existing encumbrances.

For HDB Flats, Owners can log in with Singpass to MyHDBPage to download a report showing their name and address.

Sometimes, agents may also provide you with an annual property tax bill or notice from IRAS lists the registered owner, or a statement from the Central Provident Fund (CPF) board confirming the use of funds to purchase the property. These can also act as proof of ownership.

4. Make sure your tenancy agreement makes sense before you sign

At the very minimum, here’s what you should always check:

Correct landlord details

Make sure the name in the agreement matches the person you’re paying. If it’s a company, verify the company name. If it’s an individual, check their full name and ID details.

Rental amount and payment terms

Confirm the rent, deposit, and when payments are due. It should clearly state how much you’re paying upfront and what each payment is for.

Property details

The full address should be clearly listed. 

Maintenance and repairs

Who is responsible for what? Most agreements include a minor repair clause, make sure you understand your responsibilities.

Diplomatic clause (if applicable)

If you’re a foreign tenant, this is important. It allows you to terminate the lease early under certain conditions.

Inventory list

Make sure everything in the unit is recorded and, ideally, supported with photos.

Signatures and dates

Sounds basic, but make sure all parties have signed, and you have a copy.

Why I’m Sharing This

I’m sharing this not to scare you, but to prepare you in the off-chance something like that happens to you.

Singapore is generally a safe and well-regulated market, but scams still happen. And when they do, they often target people who are unfamiliar with the process.

If you ever feel unsure during your rental journey, don’t rush. Ask questions. Double check. Or simply reach out, I’m always happy to help.