KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Realtors Association of Jamaica (RAJ) is seeking to clamp down on real estate fraud with the development of a strategic plan to combat the rising threat of real estate scams.

The plan was developed following a high-level meeting at the Office of the Commissioner of Police on Wednesday, March 26, by representatives from law enforcement, the real estate sector, and the regulatory body.

RAJ’s second vice president Roger Allen during the meeting emphasised the urgency of the initiative stating, “Protecting the integrity of Jamaica’s real estate sector is critical—not just for industry professionals, but for every Jamaican who dreams of homeownership or a secure rental arrangement.”

Real estate scams have become a growing issue in Jamaica, with fraudsters using deceptive tactics to target property seekers. One common scam involves criminals stealing legitimate property listings from realtors, setting up fake social media pages, and changing contact details to their own. Victims are then tricked into paying for viewings or making deposits on properties that are either not for sale or rent. Realtors do not charge fees to view properties.

These fraudulent schemes have negatively impacted both property rentals and sales, with financial institutions also reporting concerns about real estate fraud. The increasing sophistication of these scams underscores the need for stronger safeguards and public education efforts.

Chairman of the RAJ’s advocacy and lobbying committee, Nevin Nish, highlighted the broader risks, warning, “land is the foundation of all material wealth. We cannot allow scammers to destabilise the real estate industry and, by extension, our country.”

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Stephanie Lindsay and representatives from the JCF’s Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch (C-TOC), including Assistant Commissioner Anthony McLaughlin, reaffirmed law enforcement’s commitment to tackling these fraudulent activities. SSP Lindsay emphasised that while public education is key, law enforcement will also take strong investigative measures to bring scammers to justice.

The Real Estate Board (REB) chairman, Andrew James, along with senior REB officials, pledged increased oversight and stronger consumer protection efforts.

Allison Morgan, an RAJ Advocacy Committee member, stressed that collaboration between stakeholders is crucial to restoring public confidence in real estate transactions.

RAJ is urging anyone who suspects they have been targeted by a real estate scam to report it to law enforcement and the RAJ. It said raising awareness and taking swift action against fraudulent schemes will help protect others from becoming victims.

It is also urging property seekers to take extra precautions when engaging in real estate transactions.

To verify if a realtor is legitimate individuals should:

▪︎ Ask for the realtor’s pocket licence – All licensed real estate professionals in Jamaica must carry an official ID issued by the Real Estate Board;

▪︎ Verify their status with the RAJ or REB, visit the RAJ website at https://realtorsjamaica.org/or call the Real Estate Board at (876) 926-9748 to confirm the agent’s credentials;

▪︎ Be wary of upfront fees –Realtors do not charge a fee just to show a property. If asked for payment before a viewing, it is a red flag and

▪︎ Avoid rushing into payments-scammers create urgency to pressure victims into making hasty deposits, and take your time and verify all details before making any financial commitments.