**Do not transfer any money. This is the single most common rental scam tactic in Singapore.**
It is **never normal** to pay a deposit, holding fee, or booking fee before physically viewing a room and verifying the property owner. Both the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) explicitly warn that legitimate landlords and registered agents never require payment upfront just to schedule or secure a viewing.
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### Why This Is a Red Flag
* **Advance-Fee Scam:** Scammers steal listing photos from portals, offer attractive rental rates, and invent artificial urgency ("many other interested tenants," "transfer now to reserve"). Once you PayNow or bank-transfer the funds, the person blocks your number and vanishes.
* **No Legal Protection:** Transferring funds without a signed Letter of Intent (LOI) or Tenancy Agreement (TA) leaves you with zero contractual recourse.
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### The Proper, Legitimate Rental Sequence in Singapore
1. **Physical Viewing ($0):** You inspect the actual room and common areas in person with the owner or their registered agent. No money ever changes hands at this stage.
2. **Proof of Ownership Verification:**
* If dealing with a direct landlord, ask to see proof of ownership (e.g., recent SP Services utility bill in their name, property tax bill, or My HDBPage login).
* If dealing with an agent, check their mobile number and registration number on the official **CEA Public Register** to verify they are not an impersonator.
3. **Written Agreement (LOI / TA):** You sign a Letter of Intent or Tenancy Agreement specifying rent, lease duration, and deposit terms.
4. **Deposit Transfer:** Only after the agreement is signed do you transfer the deposit—directly to the verified owner's bank account (never to a third party or personal assistant).
**What to do now:** Tell the person: *"Under CEA and SPF guidelines, I do not transfer deposits prior to an in-person viewing and verifying ownership. If viewing without an upfront payment is not possible, I will pass on this unit."* A scammer will push harder or disappear; a genuine landlord will simply let you view.
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Gan Eng Joo Onassis 颜荣裕, REALTOR®
MSc BIT (Middlesex, UK); BBA (UniSA)
CEA Reg No: R021244C | Mobile:
(+65) 88899918
Email: onassis@sgagent.com
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