Don’t Get Scammed: A GLLIT User’s Guide to Safe Property Buying in Dubai

fixate india
December 24, 2025

Don’t get scammed: A GLLIT user’s guide to safe property buying in Dubai

Your dream home should never turn into a stressful experience. But in a fast-moving city like Dubai, the excitement of finding the perfect property can sometimes hide risks. Fake listings, fraudsters posing as brokers, and rushed payments are more common than people realize. GLLIT’s Next-Gen Way is built to protect users from these problems by promoting transparent listings, direct connections, and verified information. This guide walks you through the common scams, the warning signs, and the easy steps you can take to avoid falling victim when searching for a home.

The scammer’s playbook

Scams often follow predictable patterns. When you know these patterns, you can avoid them instantly.

Phishing scams: These usually arrive via email or WhatsApp with links pretending to be from the Dubai Land Department or from a broker. Their goal is to steal your login details.
Official links always come from government domains like https://dubailand.gov.ae.
Fake listings: These are attractive photos or prices for a property that does not exist. Scammers use them to ask for “small booking fees” or deposits.
Advance fee fraud: This happens when someone asks for an upfront fee for “paperwork,” “developer NOC,” or “priority viewing.” Once paid, they disappear.
Bait-and-switch: A scammer posts an impressive property online, then says it’s “already taken,” pushing you toward a different, low-quality unit.
Broker impersonation: Fraudsters use fake RERA IDs or act as “friends of an agent.” Every real broker can be verified officially.

You can check any agent here on the Dubai Land Government’s list of licensed real estate brokers.

How to protect yourself: Your 4-step verification process

Before you take any financial step, run through this simple checklist.

Verify the agent’s RERA registration: Every legal agent has a RERA ID, photo, and license number. Confirm it with the Dubai Land Department’s licensed real estate brokers list.
Confirm property ownership details: Ask for the Title Deed or the digital Oqood. You can verify authenticity using the DLD REST app.
Prioritize “Verified Listings” on GLLIT: Verified listings on GLLIT ensure documents and ownership have been checked.
Follow safe payment practices

Never transfer money to a personal bank account
Use manager’s cheques for deposits
Never pay before viewing
Avoid “reservation fees” sent through informal channels

Is this a scam?

Here’s how to know when a property deal is safe and when it isn’t.

A listing is safe when the broker is verified, the title deed is shared, and the viewing is arranged without pressure.
A deposit is only safe when paid after an official viewing and through a traceable method like a manager’s cheque.
Any agent asking for bank details, passport copies, or deposits on WhatsApp before a viewing is showing a clear red flag. Stop immediately.

Top red flags to watch out for

These signs should make you pause instantly:

Prices that look too good: If the property’s price is much lower than similar units, it’s usually fake. Compare real prices on GLLIT.
Pressure tactics: Scammers use phrases like “last unit,” “only today,” or “you must pay now.”
No viewing offered: If they avoid in-person or video viewings, something is wrong.
Suspicious payment requests: Never send money to personal accounts, international accounts, or exchange house transfers.
Poor communication: Unprofessional language, errors, or inconsistent details usually point to a scammer.

Final takeaway

Property buying in Dubai is most rewarding and safe when done through the proper channels. Check the agent, verify the ownership, avoid rushed payments, and use trusted platforms. GLLIT supports your journey with secure tools, verified listings, and direct connections that protect your money and peace of mind.