Cybercriminals are exploiting online platforms to deceive victims – often expatriates and individuals relocating to new cities with an urgency to secure a home – into paying for fraudulent property listings, resulting in significant financial losses.

According to the report, the median financial loss per case in the Middle East is approximately US $ 3,064 with annual losses reaching millions per institution. Real estate scams are becoming a growing concern in the Middle East, with fraudsters taking advantage of both the increasing reliance on digital platforms and the urgency of individuals securing a home. Group-IB works alongside local authorities and institutions to enhance digital security, leveraging their expertise in fraud prevention and cybersecurity to combat online deceptive practices.

The fraud process begins when a scammer copies an existing property listing and republishes it under their name. Victims are lured in by below-market rental rates and

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