{"id":40454,"date":"2022-10-12T14:30:57","date_gmt":"2022-10-12T01:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/propertynoise.co.nz\/au\/?p=40454"},"modified":"2022-10-12T14:30:57","modified_gmt":"2022-10-12T01:30:57","slug":"aussie-mum-reveals-shocking-property-scam-that-left-her-in-tears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/propertynoise.co.nz\/au\/aussie-mum-reveals-shocking-property-scam-that-left-her-in-tears\/","title":{"rendered":"Aussie mum reveals shocking property scam that left her in tears"},"content":{"rendered":"

PHOTO: Nikki Hart is desperate to find a home for her and her daughter. Source: Supplied<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

A Sunshine Coast mother is heartbroken after thinking she\u2019d finally found a home to call her own \u2013 only to discover she had been scammed out of thousands of dollars.<\/p>\n

Nikki Hart, 35, has spent more than a year\u00a0painstakingly searching for a home\u00a0for her and her six-year-old daughter.<\/p>\n

After more than a dozen rejections due to her $400,000 budget, she was thrilled to see that her offer had finally been accepted on a two-bedroom duplex in Coes Creek, near Nambour.<\/p>\n

\u201cI put the offer in for the property as it was a great size home, small backyard for our two small dogs who my six-year-old daughter absolutely loves and has grown up with,\u201d Ms Hart told Yahoo News Australia.<\/p>\n

In an email chain\u00a0between Ms Hart and the scammer, the messages are so realistic they appear to come from the agency’s exact email address, and even use the name of an employee in the signature.<\/p>\n

Early in the correspondence, the agent tells Ms Hart that in order to \u201csecure the property\u201d a one per cent \u2013 or $4000 \u2013 deposit must be made.<\/p>\n

The mum wanted to walk through the property before paying any money, but the scammer urged them to make a payment as soon as possible \u2013 saying the amount would be refundable if she changed her mind about the place.<\/p>\n

Heartbreaking moment mum realises she\u2019s been scammed<\/strong><\/h2>\n

On Wednesday, October 5, Ms Hart\u00a0arrived at the property\u00a0at the scheduled time of 5pm, ready to walk through her potential forever home.<\/p>\n

After waiting almost half an hour, no agent arrived. She sent a follow up email and attempted to call the agency \u2013 and that’s when she received a devastating call back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had the principle of the realestate agency call me back and requested I come into the office to show him all emails,\u201d Ms Hart said.<\/p>\n

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One of the emails Ms Hart received from the scammer. Some details have been blurred as they are real names and contact details. Source: Supplied<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cMy heart was broken into a million pieces,\u201d she added, saying she walked into their office in tears.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do my absolute best as a single mum and to have this happen to us is heartbreaking, it really is.<\/p>\n

\u201cI pray it does not happen to anyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thankfully,\u00a0after reporting the scam to the police<\/a>, her $4000 deposit was returned.<\/p>\n

The property at the centre of the scam is a legitimate property that is on the market for $495,000 and is in no way connected to the scam.<\/p>\n

The principal of Keyline Realty \u2013 the agency that was mimicked by the scammer \u2013 told Yahoo News legitimate realtors would never ask for money before a buyer has seen the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have never asked for money from a buyer before they\u2019ve inspected a property and I\u2019ve never heard of any other agents doing so either,\u201d Andrew Hicks said.<\/p>\n

He said it\u2019s the first time they\u2019ve been involved in a scam like this, but insist the business \u201cspends a lot of money\u201d on measures to keep their information secure.<\/p>\n

Mr Hicks also issued a word of caution to buyers entering the competitive market.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is \u2013 so be extra cautious. If you make an offer that is way below the asking price and everything else on the market at the time and it’s accepted, be vigilant.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do hear of it happening, but it’s extremely rare.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The property in Coes Creek is legitimately up for sale for $495,000. Source: Realestate.com.au<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mr Hicks has now offered to help Ms Hart, who is currently living in a small granny flat and sharing a bed with her daughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe type of property she\u2019s looking for within the budget she has doesn\u2019t become available often though,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI asked my team to focus on finding a property that is as close to her requirements as possible. We haven\u2019t found anything yet, but it’s early days.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scam began after spotting property online<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Ms Hart said the scam began when she found the property on realestate.com.au and filled out an email enquiry to the Keyline Realty team.<\/p>\n

After being made aware of the scam, Realestate.com.au conducted an investigation and confirmed their forms are secure.<\/p>\n

“Following investigation we can confirm there has been no unauthorised access on our realestate.com.au agent enquiry form,\u201d a spokesperson told Yahoo News.<\/p>\n

READ MORE VIA YAHOO<\/a><\/p>\n

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