Beware of Real Estate Scams in Dubai

In Dubai, fake accounts and fraudulent practices are increasingly appearing, especially on social media. Scammers pose as trustworthy real estate agents or investors and try to entice people into transferring money or cryptocurrency to their personal accounts. Often, these accounts have names that are almost identical to an existing, reputable profile, with only a single letter or symbol differing. This makes them appear genuine at first glance, but upon closer inspection, their followers, likes, and especially their views are noticeably lower and less consistent.

Genuine real estate agents will never ask for payments to be sent to a personal account. In Dubai, you always pay directly to the developer or through an official escrow account. Deposits for viewings are also never requested. Contact is always made via a recognised local telephone number, never via a foreign number for official transactions.

How to Recognise and Avoid Fraud

During any point of contact, watch for small discrepancies in the account name and always check the engagement statistics. Be extra vigilant if someone is in a hurry or applies pressure to pay quickly. Ask for confirmation through an official channel and do not hesitate to contact the developer directly to verify if an individual genuinely works with them.

Common signs of scams include requests for advance payments for viewings, unofficial payment methods such as personal bank accounts or crypto wallets, and communication via foreign telephone numbers (i.e., not a +971 number). By remaining alert and always paying through the correct channels, you reduce the risk of becoming a victim.