Flic-en-Flac Woman Loses Rs 45,000 in Rental Scam

A 40-year-old resident of Flic-en-Flac has filed a police complaint after allegedly being defrauded of Rs 45,000 through a fake rental listing posted on social media. The woman had come across what appeared to be an attractive offer — a house available for rent at Rs 15,000 per month. She contacted the person behind the listing, who presented himself as the property owner. After a series of exchanges and what seemed like a legitimate agreement, she made multiple money transfers totalling Rs 45,000. It was only after completing the payments that she realised she had been deceived and that no such rental property existed. A police investigation has since been opened to identify the perpetrator or perpetrators behind the alleged scam. **A Growing Threat in Mauritius** This case is far from isolated. Rental fraud via social media platforms has been on the rise across Mauritius, with scammers exploiting the island's competitive housing market to target prospective tenants — particularly those searching for affordable accommodation in popular coastal areas like Flic-en-Flac. The mechanics of the scam are typically straightforward: a listing is posted at a below-market price to attract interest quickly, urgency is created through messaging, and payments are requested before any physical visit or formal contract is signed. By the time the victim realises something is wrong, the scammer has disappeared. Authorities and consumer protection advocates have repeatedly urged the public to exercise extreme caution when responding to property listings on social media. Key red flags include landlords who refuse to meet in person, requests for large upfront payments before a signed lease, and listings that seem unusually cheap for their location. Prospective renters are strongly advised to verify property ownership through official channels, insist on a face-to-face viewing, and never transfer money without a legally binding rental agreement in hand. Anyone with information relevant to this case is encouraged to contact local police authorities.