Scammer lures renters with Carousell listings, becomes uncontactable after deposit is paid

A 56-year-old woman has been arrested after allegedly using Carousell to lure victims into her rental scam, said police.

Preliminary investigations revealed that she is believed to be involved in at least 20 cases with losses amounting to more than $35,000.

Between March and April, the police received several reports from victims who had responded to listings on Carousell purporting to offer units for rental at different parts of the island.

After viewing the unit in person, victims were asked to pay a deposit to the woman to secure the rental. The woman purportedly became uncontactable after the deposits were paid.

Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Woodlands Police Division established the identity of the woman and arrested her on Friday (Aug 26).

The woman was to be charged in court on Saturday (Aug 27) with the offence of cheating, which carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine.

You can take the following precautionary measures to avoid falling prey to rental scams:

• Ensure that the person you deal with is a rightful owner of the unit or an accredited real estate agent by verifying their details and contact number with the agency.
• Ask to visit the unit and verify with the owner if the rental offer exists and is genuine.

For more information on scams, members of the public can visit scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688. Anyone with information on such scams may call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at
www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.