Cheating by Real Estate Agent

I was searching a "Flat for Rent" advertisement in Qatar Living and two days ago, I found an ad/- in Qatar Living that 3 bedroom Fully furnished flat in a brand new bldg. available near Gulf Cinema for Qr.5000/- and he also mentioned first six months rent should be paid in Cash and next six months rent by post dated cheques.

I like the flat very well and I told the advertiser (Mr. Fares, mob. 3600954, e-mail: [email protected])to come in the evening with the landlord or landlord's rep. to finalize the deal. He brought one Mr. Aatheef and introduced me, he is landlord's rep. who will make the contract. I told him that I will give a cheque for 6 months advance rent Qr. 30,000/- in landlord's name + another 6 pd cheques. He told me that landlord is leaving for London tomorrow morning, hence he will not get the time to cash the cheque, he needs Qr. 30,000/- in cash. Hence, I told him I will give you the cash cheque tomorrow morning, so that you can cash it immediately. Then, he told me to give the ID copy for making the contract which I have given.

I had a doubt about him that he was insisting me the give the advance in cash. In the mean time I asked to two of the occupants in the building about the rent and they told me they are paying Qr. 9000/- per month and owner's rep. is not Aatheef.

I had called owners Gen. Manager and informed him, but he told me that he don't know Mr. Aatheef and he never authorized anybody to make the contract or collect the advance rent. Then I called Mr. Fares and told him about this. He told me I will check with Aatheef and call you back. He never called and I found that last two days his above mentioned mobile is switched off. Thanks God, I escaped from his trap.

Guys, be careful about these real estate agents, especially when they ask 6 months rent in cash !!!!