Rental Property Scams Targeting Tenants in Singapore
Singapore's high property costs and competitive rental market attract scammers who post fake HDB and condominium listings on PropertyGuru, 99.co, and Facebook Marketplace, collecting deposits from victims who cannot afford to lose their housing search funds.
Part of: Holiday Rental Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Singapore's rental market — among the world's most expensive — creates significant pressure on prospective tenants to act quickly on attractive listings. Scammers exploit this urgency with below-market listings on PropertyGuru and Facebook Marketplace, disappearing after collecting a booking deposit or security deposit via bank transfer or PayNow.
The Singapore Police Force receives rental scam reports regularly and has highlighted that foreign workers, new expatriates, and students are disproportionately targeted because they often need to secure accommodation quickly before arriving or shortly after arriving in Singapore.
How this scam works on Singapore
A listing for a below-market HDB flat or condominium unit appears on PropertyGuru or Facebook Marketplace. The 'landlord' is responsive and provides high-quality photos. When the prospective tenant requests a viewing, the landlord claims to be overseas for work but is willing to conduct the transaction remotely.
A booking deposit — typically one or two months' rent — is requested via PayNow or bank transfer to secure the unit before the landlord's return. Once transferred, the landlord becomes unreachable. The property is found to be legitimately occupied by others with no knowledge of the fraudulent listing.
Some scammers create convincing tenancy agreements using Singapore Housing Board (HDB) letterhead or templates and request CEA (Council for Estate Agencies) registration numbers of real agents without those agents' knowledge.
Common red flags
- Rental price significantly below market rate for the district and unit type
- Landlord or agent who is overseas and cannot facilitate an in-person viewing
- Request for PayNow or bank transfer deposit before signing a Tenancy Agreement
- Property photos that appear on other Singapore listings when searched by reverse image
- Tenancy agreement that references a CEA licence number that does not match the agent's details on cea.gov.sg
How to protect yourself
- Always view the property in person before paying any deposit
- Verify any property agent's registration at cea.gov.sg using their licence number
- Check HDB flat details including rental eligibility at hdb.gov.sg before renting
- Pay deposits only after signing a formal Tenancy Agreement and verifying the landlord's identity document
- Report suspicious listings to PropertyGuru or the platform and to the SPF at police.gov.sg/iwitness
How to report it
- Report to Singapore Police Force at police.gov.sg/iwitness or via the anti-scam hotline 1800-722-6688
- Report the listing to the property portal (PropertyGuru, 99.co)
- Report to the Council for Estate Agencies at cea.gov.sg if an agent licence was misused
Frequently asked questions
How can I verify a landlord's right to rent out an HDB flat in Singapore?
HDB flat owners must comply with HDB's minimum occupation period and sub-letting rules. You can check whether a flat is approved for renting through HDB's e-services at hdb.gov.sg. Ask the landlord to show their identity card and the flat's title deed, and independently verify their identity before paying any money.