Bukit Aman CCID director warns of rising rental scams after viral Threads post

SHAH ALAM - A woman's close call with a rental scam, shared in a viral Threads post, has prompted fresh warnings from Bukit Aman’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID).

Its director, Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf warned the public about online rental fraud and advised potential tenants to verify property listings in person and gather essential details before making any payments.

He highlighted that online fraud takes various forms, categorising them into six main types: Phone scams, e-financial fraud, love scams, non-existent loan fraud, non-existent investment fraud and e-commerce fraud.

The recent case of Threads user @schael whose name is Scha Salleh, 27,who narrowly escaped a rental scam, falls under e-commerce fraud, according to Ramli.

He revealed that authorities recorded 3,506 cases of e-business fraud in 2023 alone.

While there were no specific statistics for rental scams yet, the numbers were expected to rise as scammers increasingly take advantage of online platforms and transactions, he said.

"Similar fraud schemes have been reported in the United States on platforms like Craigslist, where victims are deceived by fake property listings. A similar trend is now emerging in Malaysia, increasing the risk of scams spreading across multiple fraudulent schemes.

"People should be cautious when browsing online rental advertisements and avoid making any payments before physically viewing and verifying the property and its location.

"If possible, potential tenants should meet the landlord in person before finalising any transaction," he told Sinar Daily.

In the case, Scha met the scammer in person at the so-called rental property. She became suspicious when the scammer actively avoided her camera while she was recording videos of the property.

Scha also shared that the person she met to view the listing she found on online marketplace Mudah.my was not the same person she had initially contacted.

This was a tactic commonly used to evade accountability.

Meanwhile, Ramli advised people to remain skeptical and avoid making any deals without proper verification.

He also stressed the importance of gathering key information about the other party, such as their full name, identification card number, address or driver's licence.

"Any form of identification that proves they are a real person should be collected. This precaution ensures that if a police report is needed, there are concrete details about the scammer rather than just a story without proof," he said.

He also warned against trusting third parties or so-called "representatives" sent by scammers.

He said scammers often used intermediaries who can easily deny any liability in the fraud and avoid dealing with unknown individuals and ensure direct communication with verified landlords.

Scha's story on Threads exposed a growing scam trend involving suspiciously perfect rental listings, prompting others to share similar experiences.

"When I arrived (to view a rental property), the air conditioner was already switched on, the house was clean and tidy and there were even bedsheets and towels prepared. There was also WiFi available.

"The surprising part was that the towels were folded exactly like those in an Airbnb. At that moment, I felt something was off," she shared.

Further suspicion arose when the property was listed for RM1,800 which was significantly lower than similar units priced around RM2,500.

She said she was also pressured to make an immediate deposit, claiming that the unit was in high demand and also offered an additional 15 days rent-free if she secured the booking on the spot.

As rental scams continue to evolve, authorities stress the need for vigilance and public awareness to curb these fraudulent activities. By taking necessary precautions, potential tenants can better protect themselves from becoming the next victims of online fraud.