Safety first
Anti-fraud policy
Property fraud is one of the biggest financial risks facing East African buyers. Here is how we protect you — and how to protect yourself.
How CoralStones protects you
Our zero-tolerance approach
Human review before publishing
As a standard policy, listings are reviewed by our team before they go live — we don't auto-publish.
Agent licence checks
We check agents against the Estate Agents Registration Board of Kenya (EARB) register.
Title deed searches
For land and high-value sales, we help you run a title search at the relevant Lands Registry and flag any encumbrances it reveals.
Every fraud report reviewed
We review every fraud report. Confirmed fraudulent listings are removed and the lister banned.
Payment protection guidance
We advise all buyers to pay through formal bank channels only — never cash, never mobile money to personal numbers.
Permanent bans
Any agent or lister found to be fraudulent is permanently banned and reported to the relevant authorities.
Know the scams
Common property fraud types in East Africa
Ghost listings
A property is advertised but does not exist — or has already been sold. The scammer collects viewing fees or deposits, then disappears.
Warning signs
- Agent is difficult to reach after initial contact
- Rushed to pay a reservation fee before viewing
- Photos look too perfect or are identical across multiple platforms
Agent impersonation
Fraudsters pose as legitimate licensed agents, often cloning real agent profiles with slightly different contact details.
Warning signs
- Contact number differs from official agency website
- Agent cannot provide their registration number
- Meeting location is outside the agency office
Fake title deeds
A seller presents a forged or duplicate title deed to sell land they do not own, or land with existing charges/owners.
Warning signs
- Seller insists on a rushed transaction
- Price is unusually far below market value
- Seller reluctant to allow title search at Lands Registry
Off-plan advance fee fraud
A developer collects deposits for an off-plan project that does not have planning approval, or the developer has no intention of building.
Warning signs
- No construction bond or NCA certificate provided
- Developer cannot show approved plans
- Payment demanded in cash or personal account
If you suspect fraud
What to do immediately
- 1
Stop all payments
Do not send any money — including viewing fees, reservation deposits or registration fees — until the issue is resolved.
- 2
Report the listing
Use our Report a Listing tool. We'll investigate as quickly as we can and suspend the listing if fraud is confirmed.
- 3
Contact us directly
Email report@coralstonesproperties.co.ke with any evidence — screenshots, payment receipts, conversation records.
- 4
Report to authorities
File a report with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kenya, and notify your bank immediately if any money changed hands.
Spotted something suspicious?