According to the TRA advisory, fraudsters typically use enticing listings to trick users into sending advance deposits for bookings or administrative costs. Once the money is sent, the "landlord" disappears, and the victim is left with no property and no refund. To prevent this, the authority insists on verifying the property's existence and, ideally, visiting the site in person to confirm ownership before any cash changes hands.
Furthermore, the TRA suggests exclusively using registered agencies or licensed real estate firms for any transactions. By sticking to these regulated entities, consumers gain legal protections that are non-existent when dealing with anonymous social media accounts.
Source: The Arabian Stories
