Milkiyat Properties: Safety & Fraud Prevention Guide

Real estate transactions involve significant financial commitments. While our platform strives to host only legitimate listings, fraudsters often use sophisticated tactics to target uninformed users. Use this guide to stay protected.

1. Common Scams to Watch For
The “Phantom” Listing: Scammers copy photos from legitimate ads and create fake listings at “too-good-to-be-true” prices to collect quick deposits.
The Unlicensed Agent: Individuals posing as brokers without a valid RERA (Dubai) or local regulatory ID to collect commissions or “token” money.
Double Selling: A fraudster sells or rents the same property to multiple parties simultaneously, collecting payments from all before disappearing.
Off-Plan Payment Fraud: Requests to pay installments into a personal or company account instead of a government-mandated Escrow Account.

2. The Verification Checklist (Country-Specific)
🇦🇪 For Properties in Dubai (Middle East)
Dubai has some of the most advanced digital verification tools in the world. Never skip these steps:
Scan the “Madmoun” QR Code: Every legitimate property ad in Dubai must have a RERA-issued QR code. Scan it using the Dubai REST App to verify the listing, the agent, and the property’s availability.
Verify the Broker: Check the agent’s Broker Registration Number (BRN) and the company’s Office Registration Number (ORN) on the Dubai Land Department (DLD) website.
Check the Title Deed: Use the “Title Deed Verification” service on the Dubai REST app. Ensure the seller’s name matches the legal owner on record.
Escrow is Mandatory: For off-plan properties, only transfer funds to the specific project’s Escrow Account as listed by RERA.
🇵🇰 For Properties in Pakistan
The Pakistani market requires more manual due diligence.
Verify the NOC (No Objection Certificate): If investing in a housing society, check its approval status with the relevant authority (e.g., CDA for Islamabad, LDA for Lahore, or RDA for Rawalpindi).
Physical Site Visit: Never buy a plot or house based only on “Photoshop” maps. Physically visit the site to ensure the land exists and has the promised infrastructure.
Demand Original Documents: Ask to see the original Allotment Letter or Registry. Cross-verify these at the society office or land registrar.
Avoid “Cash-Only” Deals: Always use traceable bank channels (Pay Orders or Transfers) to create a legal paper trail.

3. Red Flags (Warning Signs)
🚩 Pressure to Act Fast: “Someone else is viewing it in an hour—pay now to lock it in.”
🚩 Unusual Payment Methods: Requests for payment via cryptocurrency, Western Union, or personal bank accounts.
🚩 Price Discrepancies: A luxury villa listed at 30% below the market average for that specific neighborhood.
🚩 Unavailable for Viewing: Agents who claim they are “out of the country” but demand a deposit before you can see the property.

4. How to Pay Safely
Use Escrow: For new developments, use the official government-regulated escrow accounts.
Verify Wiring Instructions: If you receive wiring instructions via email, call the office using a trusted number from their official website to confirm the details before sending money.
Get a Written Receipt: Never hand over “Token Money” without a signed, witnessed agreement that clearly states the refund conditions.

5. What to Do If You Suspect Fraud
If you encounter a suspicious listing on Milkiyat Properties or feel you have been targeted:
Report to Us: Contact safety@milkiyatproperties.com immediately so we can remove the listing.
Contact Authorities: * Dubai: Report via the Dubai Police “e-crime” portal or the DLD.
Pakistan: Contact the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cybercrime wing.