Fraudsters copy real listings and ask for money in advance. These rules protect you:
- No money before a viewing and the documents. Never pay a reservation fee, deposit or "release fee" to arrange a viewing.
- Inspect in person or through your own adviser. For yachts: an independent pre-purchase survey and a sea trial. For real estate: a visit and an official land registry extract.
- Deposits only to escrow, a notary or a lawyer - never to a private account, by money transfer service, gift cards or cryptocurrency.
- Confirm bank details by phone. Criminals intercept emails and send "updated" account details. Call the broker on a number you found yourself before every transfer.
- Watch for warning signs: a price far below the market, pressure to decide today, a seller who is abroad and cannot show the asset, or emails from a domain that does not match the broker's website.
Suspicious? Do not pay, use Report this listing on the listing or contact us. If you have already paid, contact your bank immediately and report it to the police.
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Last updated 25 October 2026