🚨 Real Estate Scam Alert: When "Luxury Buyers" Are Actually Playing the Long Game for Crypto Scams
There’s a new scam targeting real estate agents—and this one is sneaky. Unlike the obvious red flags we’ve all learned to spot, these scammers are playing the long game, and they’re getting creative.
Here’s what you need to know.
🎭 The Setup: The Faux Luxury Buyer
It starts like any high-end buyer lead would: a professional-sounding inquiry about relocating, usually from out of state or even overseas. They say they’re looking for a $1M+ home, often in cash. They’ll text, email, or DM you asking about luxury listings, acting serious but not pushy. Sometimes, they’ll even hop on a call.
They talk the talk.
They name-drop cities like Dubai, New York, or LA. They claim to be executives, investors, or developers. And they'll praise your branding, Instagram, or “vibe” as an agent. It all feels flattering, genuine, and lucrative.
But it's a trap.
🕸️ The Rapport-Building Phase
The scammer doesn’t ask anything weird—at first. They engage like a real buyer. They’ll ask for virtual tours. They’ll say they’re getting their financials in order. Some even go as far as having a custom email domain or a LinkedIn profile to appear legitimate.
Then they pivot. Usually after a week or two of friendly, back-and-forth conversation.
That’s when they start “sharing a tip” about crypto. They might say:
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“I doubled my down payment by staking ETH. Want me to show you how?”
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“The way I fund my real estate deals is through crypto arbitrage—let me know if you want in.”
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“I could help you diversify your commission income if you're ever curious.”
They frame it like they’re doing you a favor. Helping a friend. It’s subtle. Almost innocent.
But this is where the scam starts to tighten its grip.
🧨 The Ask: Crypto Transfers or ‘Co-Investing’
Eventually, they offer to “walk you through” their platform or connect you with their “trader.” Some will even propose a co-investment in a hot property they’re supposedly buying—but the money needs to go through a crypto wallet.
Once they get you to transfer funds—even a small amount—they disappear. Poof. Gone.
No buyer. No deal. No refund.
🚫 Red Flags to Watch For
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Too good to be true luxury buyers who come out of nowhere with no agent loyalty or realistic expectations.
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Vague backstories with high-income claims but no proof of funds or lender pre-approval.
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Crypto talk that slowly ramps up as your trust builds.
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Pressure to act fast on “opportunities” outside of your real estate scope.
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Unverifiable identities—Google their names, check domain registration, and reverse image search their profile pictures.
🧠 Bottom Line
Real estate is a relationship business—and scammers know it. They’re leveraging our kindness, our hustle, and our trust in high-value clients to push predatory crypto schemes.
It’s not just spam texts anymore. It’s psychological manipulation disguised as networking.
Always verify. Never send money. And if something feels off—even if it’s weeks into a conversation—trust your gut.
If you’ve experienced one of these scam attempts, share this post with fellow agents. The more we talk about it, the harder it becomes for scammers to succeed.
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Written by Lindsay Greene, Realtor® at The Agency
Visit LindsayGreeneHomes.com for expert insights, listings, and resources for navigating real estate with confidence.
