Couple nabbed for cheating housebuyers

Trust your instinct the next time you see an offer for houses below market value on the Internet because such things are usually too good to be true.

Police uncovered this scam when they arrested a couple, in their 30s several days ago, who had allegedly cheated more than a dozen desperate housebuyers.

It is learnt that the couple had used popular property websites to post offers to sell their house in Perling and Taman Ungku Tun Aminah below market value.

Sources said they would bring a prospective buyer to the house before collecting a deposit of between RM1,000 and RM2,500 in cash.

“Most of the time they do not bring the potential buyer into the house, claiming it was still occupied,” the sources said, adding that the victims only realised that they had been conned when they failed to contact the couple after the transaction.

Police have received numerous reports in Johor Baru North and Sri Alam.

It is learnt that the couple were tracked down by officers from the state commercial crime unit and remanded. Investigations were being carried out under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.

Police are also checking if the duo were also involved in other similar cases elsewhere. - By The Star

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