PropertyPro Accused of Facilitating Rental Scams in Kenya

Concerned Citizen Alleges Fraud on PropertyPro.co.ke, Urges Investigation

A concerned Kenyan has raised alarm over alleged fraudulent activities on the popular property listing website, PropertyPro.co.ke, accusing the platform of being a breeding ground for scammers targeting unsuspecting renters.

The whistleblower, who shared their experience with Kenya Insights, claims to have fallen victim to a well-orchestrated rental scam and is now calling for an investigation into the platform’s operations.

In a detailed letter, the individual explained that they had been searching for a house to rent on the platform when they encountered suspicious behavior from agents and property owners.

After identifying several attractive listings, the complainant contacted the agents listed on the site, only to be redirected to other phone numbers belonging to supposed property owners.

“Every time I called these ‘owners,’ they all had the same story: the house is available, but there are other interested parties who are about to pay. They insisted that I pay a deposit to secure the property before viewing it,” the complainant stated.

This tactic, the whistleblower noted, mirrors a scam they had previously fallen victim to, where they lost money after paying for a house they had not seen. “When I refused to pay before viewing the property, they abruptly ended the call and stopped communicating with me,” they added.

The complainant expressed concern that such fraudulent activities are becoming rampant on the platform, putting innocent Kenyans at risk of losing their hard-earned money. “I believe these are fraudsters exploiting the platform to con people. Something needs to be done to stop them,” they urged.

The whistleblower has called on authorities and relevant stakeholders to investigate PropertyPro.co.ke and hold the perpetrators accountable. “I hope this matter can be looked into to protect other Kenyans from falling victim to these scams,” they said.

PropertyPro has yet to respond to these allegations. The platform, which connects property seekers with agents and landlords, has been a go-to resource for many Kenyans seeking rental and sale properties. However, this latest complaint raises questions about the vetting process for listings and the measures in place to protect users from fraud.

Meanwhile, the complainant’s plea for action highlights the need for stricter oversight in Kenya’s growing digital property market to safeguard consumers from exploitation.

Kenya Insights has reached out to PropertyPro.co.ke for comment and will continue to follow this story as it develops.