FBI Reports $275 Million in 2025 Real Estate Fraud Losses as Complaints Jump to 12,368
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 12
FBI Reports $275 Million in 2025 Real Estate Fraud Losses as Complaints Jump to 12,368
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 12
Summary
$275 million in reported losses and 12,368 complaints hit the FBI's real-estate fraud category in 2025, up from about $174 million and 9,359 complaints a year earlier.
Fake rental listings are a key driver: scammers copy real photos and video tours, repost homes with fake contacts, then pressure renters to send application fees or deposits before any in-person visit.
115 complaints explicitly referenced AI and reported nearly $2.7 million in losses, though the report says most schemes still rely on stolen listings and believable excuses rather than AI alone.
The FTC and FBI urge renters to verify ownership independently, tour properties before paying, avoid peer-to-peer transfers like Zelle, and report scams quickly to banks, IC3 and the FTC.