50 bogus estate agents target home buyers

A growing network of unregistered estate agents is preying on desperate home-seekers in Manicaland, with unsuspecting buyers losing substantial amounts of money in fraudulent property deals.

Investigations have revealed that while the province has only seven registered estate agents, more than 50 unlicensed operators are reportedly buying, selling and marketing properties across Manicaland.

The bogus agents largely operate through social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp, where they advertise houses using attractive photographs, prices and locations before connecting prospective buyers with purported property owners.

Zimbabweans living abroad are reportedly among the major targets, with some victims allegedly paying thousands of United States dollars for non-existent properties, disputed houses or properties belonging to other people.

Estate Agents Council representative Life Mutichakwa described the situation as alarming, warning that illegal operators were undermining confidence in the property market.

"Bogus estate agents are on the prowl in Manicaland. We have over 50 unlicenced people involved in buying and selling properties, while the province has only seven registered agents," Mutichakwa said.

"Some of these individuals are depriving members of the public of their hard-earned money by selling non-existent properties."

He said registered estate agents were required to hold valid compensation fund certificates and operate under regulatory requirements that do not apply to unregistered operators.

Mutichakwa warned that informal agents often bypass critical checks, exposing buyers to properties that may have outstanding mortgages, caveats or ownership disputes.

"If proper due diligence is not done, a buyer can end up purchasing a bonded property, a house with caveats, or even a property that has been double-allocated," he said.

"Should a registered agent make an error, the compensation fund protects the client. But if someone loses money through an unregistered agent, there is no recourse and the loss can be permanent. Imagine losing US$200 000."

Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed that cases involving fraudulent property agents had been reported.

He urged members of the public to conduct thorough checks before handing over money for property or other high-value assets.

"People are losing money after dealing with bogus property agents. We urge the public to transact only with registered and legally recognised entities. Verification is crucial before paying for properties, vehicles or any high-value asset," Chinyoka said.

He added that some self-styled property agents who introduce prospective tenants to rental accommodation had also been linked to cases involving unlawful entry.

Legal practitioner Tendai Bvuma said buyers were exposing themselves to significant losses by rushing into property transactions without obtaining professional assistance.

"Property transactions involve substantial amounts of money and should never be treated casually. Buyers must engage qualified professionals who are accountable to statutory bodies," Bvuma said.

"A registered estate agent risks losing a licence for misconduct, but an unregistered agent has nothing to lose."

Bvuma said identifying forged ownership documents, mortgages and property disputes required specialised knowledge that informal operators often lacked.

"People should not buy property as if they are purchasing cabbages at a market. We have seen individuals lose pension payouts and life savings because they chose shortcuts instead of following proper procedures," he said.

Under the normal structure of a property transaction, the seller is responsible for obligations such as capital gains tax and estate agent commission, while the buyer generally pays conveyancing costs associated with transferring ownership.

With property scams reportedly increasing across Manicaland, industry players and law enforcement agencies are urging prospective buyers to verify ownership and other property details through registered estate agents, local authorities and the Deeds Office before committing any money.

The warning is particularly relevant to buyers using social media, where attractive property advertisements can make fraudulent listings difficult to distinguish from legitimate offers.