Beware of Rental Scams on Social Media Watch out for Fake Documents
2025-07-23
Defrauding Tricks
The Police caution that even if the other party presents documents such as tenancy agreements, authorisation for collection of payments and screenshots of identity cards, it is possible they are letting fake rental flats. Scammers may forge these documents and mix them in authentic property search materials to mislead victims.
In recent years, deceptive advertisements for rental flats have become increasingly common on social media such as Xiaohongshu. Some of the advertisements entice tenants with low prices or photos from the internet.
Case Study
A family from the Mainland came across a fraudulent rental advertisement posted by a bogus agent on Xiaohongshu. Unable to travel to Hong Kong to inspect the property in person, they were persuaded to sign a tenancy agreement online. The bogus agent presented an authentic property search document showing the actual owner’s name and provided a forged screenshot of the owner’s identity card. Since both documents showed the same name, the victims believed they were authentic and signed the agreement, then transferred approximately HK$13,000 for rent. Later, the victims consulted a licensed estate agent in Hong Kong who had previously handled the property and contacted the real owner. They then realised it was a scam.
Police Advice
Contact a licensed estate agent in Hong Kong and inspect properties in person before renting
Ask the agent for their full name and licence number, then verify them by checking the Licence List on the Estate Agents Authority’s website
Legitimate real estate advertisements will display the licensed agent’s company name and licence number
When signing a rental agreement, make sure the document is a proper tenancy agreement and the lessor is the real owner
Estate agents have a duty to verify the identity of property owners and provide land search data
