The 5 most common real estate scams in Indonesia: How to not get scammed?

Real estate scams in Indonesia happen and come in many forms. Many scammers and criminals are attracted to the Indonesian real estate market as much money is involved in real estate transactions. Therefore, buyers and investors must take extra care when buying real estate in a foreign country like Indonesia. Over the past few years, many foreigners have become victims of real estate scams or frauds in Indonesia and lost a lot of money. That’s why it’s essential to know about the most common real estate scams in Indonesia so you can easily avoid getting scammed.

1. Property flipping scams in Indonesia

Property flipping is a strategy where someone buys a property in Indonesia intending to re-sell it for a much higher price for a considerable profit without making any or minor improvements or renovations. The property flipping scam is not illegal in Indonesia unless the person falsely represents the condition and value of the property, as this is a form of fraud.

These types of real estate scams in Indonesia are designed to prey on buyers eager to invest in real estate without doing their due diligence and researching the market. Foreigners, who are mostly unfamiliar with Indonesian real estate law and the market, are easy targets for this scam.

2. Indonesia’s false real estate ownership scams

False ownership scams involve a person or group posing as the legal owners of a property and trying to sell or rent it to unsuspecting buyers or tenants. They may claim possession with fake land certificates, deeds, or land titles. Scammers may target uninhabited, abandoned, or foreign-owned buildings. They may also pretend to own land by claiming ownership with false paperwork.

These property scams can lead to buyers or tenants of Indonesian property paying considerable sums for a property they don’t legally own or use. When the actual property owner surfaces, the victims may face legal battles or eviction, resulting in considerable financial losses and legal issues.

The land register office or a respectable real estate agent should check property ownership to avoid fake ownership scams. Legal documents must be checked for authenticity and legality.

3. Rental deposit scams in Indonesia

In a rental deposit scam, a fraudster appears as a landlord or property owner in Indonesia and takes a big deposit from a prospective tenant before disappearing. The fraudster may rent a house at a low price and require a high deposit to secure it. After receiving the warranty, the fraudster will vanish, leaving the tenant without the property or their money. Property scammers may use false rental agreements, identity documents, and other methods to appear real. In 2018, the Saudi princess lost $37 million in this type of real estate scam in Bali.

Before paying:

1. Verify the landlord’s identification to avoid rental deposit scams.
2. Request a receipt and ensure the rental agreement is legally enforceable and includes the rental price, payment terms, and landlord’s contact information.
3. Be skeptical of too-good-to-be-true deals and inspect the property in person.

4. Timeshare fraud in Bali

The timeshare scam is widespread in Bali and involves fraudulent sales or villa rentals. These scams target tourists and travelers in Bali who want to buy or rent a Bali timeshare. A high-pressure salesperson posing as a timeshare company representative may offer a vacation package or timeshare ownership at a low price. The salesperson may provide freebies, incentives, or discounts to get the victim to sign.

The timeshare property may not exist or differ from the sales presentation in many circumstances. The victim may also be charged hidden fees or maintenance expenses. This real estate scam in Bali can also happen in other parts of Indonesia.

Before paying or signing:

1. Study the company and property to prevent Bali timeshare scams.
2. Consult a professional real estate agent or attorney and thoroughly analyze the contract to ensure all terms and conditions are transparent and legally binding.
3. Avoid high-pressure sales tactics and too-good-to-be-true offers.

Dutch journalist Kees van der Spek created a report on timeshare scams in Bali. The video includes English subtitles.

5. Zoning fraud in Bali

Zoning fraud in Bali involves misrepresenting a property’s zoning status or illegally changing it to allow a development project that would not be permitted under its genuine zoning status. Bali zoning fraud includes building hotels or villas in agricultural or conservation zones. This can harm the ecology, neighborhood, and zoning restrictions.

Zoning fraud can also involve illegally changing zoning categories by bribing government officials or fabricating documents. This can lead to a zoning-violating development project that harms the neighborhood and property values.

To avoid zoning fraud in Bali, check a property’s zoning classification with the local zoning board or government body. To ensure zoning compliance, research the planned development or property use. Work with trusted real estate brokers, attorneys, and developers who obey zoning restrictions.

How to avoid real estate scams in Indonesia?

There are more real estate scams in Indonesia that are not covered yet. You can follow several steps when buying a property in Indonesia to avoid becoming a victim of real estate scams in Indonesia:

1. Use professional registered real estate agents to avoid complications in property ownership structures.
2. Check the property licenses by ensuring the seller provides the Certificate of the Property and the Building Approval (PBG).
3. Conduct due diligence by getting answers to important questions such as who the owner is, whether the property is inherited, what type of certificate it has, and how much tax needs to be paid for the property.
4. Sign the Sales Purchase Agreement (SPA) at a public notary authorized for the area (PPAT). Ensure the SPA protects your interests and you understand all the terms.
5. Transfer the down payment, typically 10% of the property value, directly to the person listed on the certificate. Only transfer the remaining money after the notary receives and checks the certificates.
6. Make the final transfer and simultaneously sign the Deed of Sell and Buy at the public notary. Both the buyer and the seller have to pay taxes.
7. Complete the change of ownership by having the public notary transfer the ownership to you.

By following these steps, you can be sure you can legally buy a property in Indonesia without becoming the victim of one of the real estate scams in Indonesia.

Buy property in Indonesia with Own Property Abroad

Looking to buy property in Indonesia? Own Property Abroad can assist you and ensure a seamless and hassle-free property journey. Thanks to our extensive knowledge and local experience in the Indonesian market, we can help with legal requirements, finding suitable properties, negotiating the best deals, and conducting due diligence.

With our expert team, you won’t have to navigate the complexities of the Indonesian market alone. For further information on how we can assist you, kindly drop your details below or email us at [email protected]. Let’s start working on your property success story today!

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