Part 4/8:
The scammer went further to specify minute details, explaining how keys would be cut and furniture removed, trying to make the transaction seem as legitimate as possible. Joanne, despite her diligence, overlooked some crucial warning signs.
Detecting the Deception
Joanne checked the registration number of the agent on the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) public register, confirming that he was a registered licensee. Nonetheless, she made critical mistakes:
Banking Misstep: She transferred the deposit to the agent himself, rather than directly to the property owner.
Contact Discrepancy: She noticed the agent’s mobile number was different from the one she liaised with online.