MUSCAT – In an advisory issued to consumers, the authority said that scammers often post rental listings and request an advance transfer to secure a booking or cover initial fees. Once the payment is made, the advertiser stops responding, leaving victims to discover that the property listing was fake.
The TRA urged individuals not to transfer any money before verifying that the property or service actually exists. It also advised potential renters to visit the location in person to confirm the ownership of the chalet or apartment before completing any transaction.
Additionally, the authority recommended dealing only with licensed real estate offices or registered companies to avoid falling victim to online rental fraud.
