Aussie mum reveals shocking property scam that left her in tears

PHOTO: Nikki Hart is desperate to find a home for her and her daughter. Source: Supplied

A Sunshine Coast mother is heartbroken after thinking she’d finally found a home to call her own – only to discover she had been scammed out of thousands of dollars.

Nikki Hart, 35, has spent more than a year painstakingly searching for a home for her and her six-year-old daughter.

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.

“I 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,” Ms Hart told Yahoo News Australia.

In an email chain between 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.

Early in the correspondence, the agent tells Ms Hart that in order to “secure the property” a one per cent – or $4000 – deposit must be made.

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 – saying the amount would be refundable if she changed her mind about the place.

Heartbreaking moment mum realises she’s been scammed

On Wednesday, October 5, Ms Hart arrived at the property at the scheduled time of 5pm, ready to walk through her potential forever home.

After waiting almost half an hour, no agent arrived. She sent a follow up email and attempted to call the agency – and that’s when she received a devastating call back.

“I had the principle of the realestate agency call me back and requested I come into the office to show him all emails,” Ms Hart said.

An email from a scammer asking for a $4000 property deposit. — **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**

“My heart was broken into a million pieces,” she added, saying she walked into their office in tears.

“I do my absolute best as a single mum and to have this happen to us is heartbreaking, it really is.

“I pray it does not happen to anyone else.”

Thankfully, after reporting the scam to the police, her $4000 deposit was returned.

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.

The principal of Keyline Realty – the agency that was mimicked by the scammer – told Yahoo News legitimate realtors would never ask for money before a buyer has seen the house.

“We have never asked for money from a buyer before they’ve inspected a property and I’ve never heard of any other agents doing so either,” Andrew Hicks said.

He said it’s the first time they’ve been involved in a scam like this, but insist the business “spends a lot of money” on measures to keep their information secure.

Mr Hicks also issued a word of caution to buyers entering the competitive market.

“If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is – 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.

“You do hear of it happening, but it’s extremely rare.”

Nikki Hart property scam — ***The property in Coes Creek is legitimately up for sale for $495,000. Source: Realestate.com.au***

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.

“The type of property she’s looking for within the budget she has doesn’t become available often though,” he said.

“I asked my team to focus on finding a property that is as close to her requirements as possible. We haven’t found anything yet, but it’s early days.”

Scam began after spotting property online

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.

After being made aware of the scam, Realestate.com.au conducted an investigation and confirmed their forms are secure.

“Following investigation we can confirm there has been no unauthorised access on our realestate.com.au agent enquiry form,” a spokesperson told Yahoo News.