Is this a scam?
Long story ahead.
I saw a property being adversely on facebook(400-500£ cheaper than market rate) and that person connected me to an agent(let’s call him Tim). I booked a viewing and they told me to go between 5-7pm for viewing. He also informed me that there’s a person called Mo will show us around.
When I went there at the property. Mo was there and another 6-7 people viewing at the same time(red flag as some scammer rent airbnb and do viewing all together ). Once we were done Mo told us to contact Adam or Tim. I got Adam’s number as well. Mo also told us that landlord is Yusuf.
I really liked the property so I texted Adam and Tim both. I tried to call Adam but the call was going to voice mail directly.
Surprisingly there was a woman outside the apartment when we left and she followed us and asked if we went in for the viewing. She told us that she signed the contract already for the property and they are still doing the viewing. She didn’t pay the money as the banking details didn’t have the name as Yusuf. However on contract that landlord was stated as Yusuf.
Then I got suspicious so I searched up the property on land and registry website and paid money to get the detail of the leasehold of that apartment. The apartment was registered in a company name. I searched up the detail about the company on government’s website and yusuf does appear as one of the acting director of the company. Company is also registered as a royal estate company.
Adam then called me(on whatsapp) and confirmed the company and landowner name when I asked. He was instant when he named the company and Yusuf. Also said that the landlord has hundreds of properties in London and other person got the other flat. He also asked me to send my ID and Income proof which he forwarded to landlord.
Landlord Yusuf emailed me(full name matches the director name on company page) and asked for the documents again and told me he will generate contract if everything is okay.
I searched up on different rental platform and did find 5-6 listings of different apartments from the same building.
I need some advice. Could this be a scam or am I being paranoid? Is there anything else I can do to make sure once the landlord sends me a contract? Could scammers be that sophisticated to use real names from land and registry?
Update: found the real owner through registered companies online. He called me and discussed this saying the flat has been rented out for 2 years and they only advertise through proper agencies. They are not sure how these people got access and are under impression that property is occupied. He also told me some other woman reached out to him regarding this as well, most likely the woman which was standing outside. Thank you everyone. I have reported these people.