Belgian real estate agents found a way to disarm the impostors. Team of private detectives was developed with the support of the Institute of Professional Estate Agents (L’Institut professionnel des agents immobiliers – IPI) to search for rogue agents that are active in the real estate trade fairs and exhibitions, reported the website 7sur7.be.
Innovation is already bearing fruit. In 2012, it was found 54 false agents, which were brought to justice. Another 66 cheaters are under investigation scams.
Fraudulent schemes are differed by courage and determination. According to the press service of the IPI, agents-fraudsters "often take part of the purchase amount, and some just disappears after the transfer of the advance."
In 2013, private investigators are closely watching the real estate exhibition Batibouw, which was opened recently in Brussels and which, according to preliminary data, will be visited be 300,000-400,000 visitors.