House worth $1.6m listed for $10k in cruel scam

A couple were left scrambling when their $1.6 million property was listed for sale by scammers for only $10,000.

Jamey and Lauren Bertram were not in the market to sell, but friends alerted to them to a “for sale by owner” listing on their local real estate platform.

The Zillow listing for the five-bedroom, ranch-style Kansas City home was accompanied by photos and a $US10,000 ($AU15,011) asking price.

Buyers were clearly hoodwinked, because the luxurious-looking house is 429 square metres. However, no doubt due to the bargain-basement figure, people have been knocking on the door, asking for an inspection.

However, it is likely they are victims too, with the listing demanding a $US200 ($AU300) upfront payment to an account allegedly belonging to the owner’s mother to inspect the home, and the claim it will be returned to buyers who did not wish to proceed.

The Bertams told their local newspaper, The Kanas City Star, that the advertisement for their $US1.6 million ($AU2.4 million) family home was a sham.

They described the situation as a “scam” and a “hot mess”, leaving them “stuck”. They were unable to raise help from the listing platform to have their property removed, they said in the interview with the paper.

They were none the wiser until friends started enquiring about the sale, wondering if they were suddenly moving from the house they bought in 2019. The answer was a resounding no, and they were pointed in the direction of the elaborate and cruel ruse.

At first, the listing was live for $US1.2 million ($AU1.8 million), Mr Bertram sold The Star. Suddenly, it plummeted to $10,000.

The Star phoned the name provided on the listing – “Mandi” – and was met with a request for a money transfer.

“The Star called the number and received a response, saying that interested buyers should send $200 through an online banking app ‘to the owners mom. … Then we can move forward’. There would then be a home walk-through on Sunday. It claimed that the $200 would be refunded to those not interested,” the newspaper said.

It is not known if the listing has been removed.

Australian tenants are among those who have been warned about rising real estate scams.

In October 2023, the property watchdog in Victoria urged renters to be on high alert for scammers listing what appeared to be legitimate properties, but asking for a full month’s rent and bond to be transferred to them without allowing an inspection.

Consumer Affairs Victoria said in a statement that bonds always should be paid to the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority, which holds the bond for the period of the tenancy, and never to a BSB and account number from an unverified individual.