Bogus realty agent leaves Dubai couple stranded in JLT

Bogus realty agent runs away with Dh19,000 deposit and rent, leaving couple stranded without a home

The Dubai Gate 1 Tower for which the irrestible deal was offered

Dubai: A couple got the shock of their lives when their savings of Dh19,000 were siphoned off by a bogus real estate agent who advertised an irresistible rental deal in an online classifieds site.

Last December 28, 2011, Filipinos Sherry and Louie saw a "to let" online ad for a Dh30,000-a-year studio at Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), where similar units go for Dh34,000 to Dh35,000. When they rang the number, an African man introduced himself as "Kevin" and claimed he belonged to Ameri One Realtors. "He (Kevin) gave us a copy of the owner's passport," said Sherry.

When the couple saw Kevin later to check the unit on the 12th floor of Dubai Gate 1 building, Kevin opened the door to the empty unit by borrowing the key from the building security guard. He also presented a receipt from the real estate company.

The couple, who lived in The Greens, wanted to move to a affordable unit closer to the Metro, and thought the deal was a steal. They promptly gave Kevin Dh4,000 for the deposit and commission, for which a receipt was given. On January 17, Kevin went to Louie's office and asked for a cash payment of Dh15,000 to cover six months' rent.

To cap the deal, Kevin issued a receipt and the keys to the unit.

On the night of January 17, the couple packed their bags and furniture, ready to move in.

However, when they arrived at their new home the keys did not fit. When they called up Kevin he told them that he would sort it out the next morning.

Morning came and Kevin's phone was dead.

Non-existent company

When the couple reported the matter to the police, they learned that Kevin's ‘company' was non-existent. "It's a big hassle for us," said Sherry, who is temporarily staying with a friend.

The real owner of the flat, Iranian Ahmad Abdul Monem from Qeshm, said that Kevin was possibly the person who had asked for his passport copy and offered to buy his unit. He said that he was renting out the unit for Dh40,000 through Aryan Real Estate.

The couple said that they have filed a police report.

Gulf News
Image Credit: Xpress/Zarina Fernandes