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    Back to Scam Alerts
    Property Fraud

    Fake Luxury Rental Scams via Facebook Marketplace

    Scammers list real photos of high-end Bangkok/Phuket condos and villas on Facebook Marketplace, Bahtsold, or Airbnb-clone sites at suspiciously low rents — and disappear after collecting deposits.

    high risk
    Target: Newcomers searching for housing remotely before arrival in Thailand; tourists seeking medium-term rentals during high season
    Estimated losses: THB 20,000 – 500,000 per victim • Prevalence: Very common, especially November–February peak rental season

    How It Works

    1

    Listing on Facebook Marketplace or similar shows luxury condo or villa with professional photography (often stolen from real listings on DDProperty or Hipflat)

    2

    Asking rent is 20–40% below market — 'owner is overseas and wants a reliable tenant'

    3

    Communication is exclusively by chat — never in-person viewing or with a verifiable agent

    4

    Scammer requests deposit + first month wire-transferred or sent via PromptPay 'to hold the unit'

    5

    After payment, the scammer either disappears or sends fake 'lease documents'; on arrival the victim finds the unit occupied by genuine tenants or unrented

    6

    Variant: scammer convinces a tourist to wire deposit, then the 'unit' on arrival is a different (substandard) property managed by a co-conspirator

    Warning Signs

    Rent significantly below market for the location and amenities

    Owner is 'overseas' and cannot show the unit in person

    No real-estate agent or only a 'representative' who refuses video walkthroughs

    Pressure to pay deposit immediately to 'secure' against other interested tenants

    Listing photos can be found on multiple other sites under different names (reverse image search)

    Demand for payment by PromptPay to a personal account, not via escrow or agency trust account

    What To Do

    ✓ Never pay a deposit on a property you have not viewed in person or via verifiable live video walkthrough
    ✓ Use only verified agents registered with the Real Estate Broker Association (REBA) or major franchises (CBRE, Knight Frank, Plus Property)
    ✓ Verify ownership via the title-deed check at the Land Office, or ask for the chanote and current house registration
    ✓ Reverse-image-search every listing photo
    ✓ Pay via lawyer-held escrow or agency trust account for the first month + deposit — never direct to a personal PromptPay number
    ✓ If already scammed: file with ECD and your bank within 24–72 hours for possible AMLO transaction freeze

    How to Report

    ECD Anti-Online Scam Hotline: 1441
    Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau: thaipoliceonline.com
    Consumer Protection Board (OCPB): 1166
    Tourist Police: 1155
    Report listing to Facebook with the 'scam' tag

    Professional Legal Assistance

    When a matter involves investigation, arrest, detention, litigation, or regulatory action, professional legal representation becomes essential.

    Anglo Siam Legal provides experienced legal services across Thailand for both Thai nationals and foreigners.

    Speak to a LawyerContact Anglo Siam Legal

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