Real estate rental scams rising in Brazil via online ads

Criminals in Brazil are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics to conduct rental scams, leveraging online advertisements and the speed of Pix payments to defraud victims. Fraudsters often use cloned advertisements, professional-looking contracts, and fake websites to mimic legitimate real estate agencies or owners.

In some cases, scammers even facilitate in-person property visits to build trust before demanding advance payments. A notable recent incident involved influencer Vanessa Fonseca, who lost nearly R$ 6,000 after a man posing as a broker facilitated an apartment visit and a lease agreement, only for the fraud to be discovered through the building's administration.

Real estate regulatory bodies, such as CRECI-SP, have issued warnings regarding these tactics. Common red flags include property prices significantly below market value, high-pressure sales tactics claiming urgent interest from others, and requests for immediate payment via Pix before a contract is officially signed.