The Scam Problem Is Real. Here’s How Hozuko Fights Back

Fun fact: the first scammer appeared on Hozuko just 10 days after we launched.

That’s not a “Hozuko problem”. That’s a Singapore problem.

Scams have become so common that you’ll see them regularly in mainstream media, and not just as one-off horror stories. In 2024 alone, Singapore saw record scam losses of at least S$1.1 billion, and the number of scam cases hit 51,501 (with scams and cybercrime cases totalling 55,810).¹ CNA and The Straits Times both covered the scale of it, including cases involving massive crypto losses.^{2 3}

Rental scams are a big part of this landscape too. Police have warned about scam variants where fake “agents” pressure victims into paying deposits just to secure a viewing or a unit, often using social media listings and WhatsApp to move fast.^{4 5}

So when we say Hozuko takes trust and safety seriously, we mean it in the most literal way: without safety, the marketplace does not work.

Scam syndicates are real, organised, and often cross-border

A lot of people still imagine scams as a lone person with too much time.

In reality, many scams today look more like operations. There are reports and enforcement actions tied to organised groups in the region, including Cambodia-based syndicates targeting Singapore victims.⁶ International reporting and UN-linked coverage has also described “scam farms” and scam compounds in parts of Southeast Asia, including Cambodia and Laos, where criminal networks run industrialised online fraud and related crimes.^{7 8}

That backdrop matters because it explains why scammers behave the way they do: scripted messages, high volume outreach, fast pressure tactics, and a constant attempt to push conversations off-platform where monitoring is harder.

Our reality: Hozuko sees scam attempts every day

This is the part most users don’t see. On a rental platform, scammers don’t need to win often. They just need a few people to slip.

The good news: Hozuko has stayed true to its promise to prioritise trust and safety. We’ve spent months hardening our scam monitoring and mitigation. Based on what we can observe on-platform, we routinely detect and stop scam attempts early, often before they progress beyond initial contact. When we spot an interaction escalating off-platform, we act quickly too, including sending proactive warnings to protect users.

Important caveat: some activity becomes “invisible” when people put phone numbers in listing descriptions and move the deal outside of Hozuko’s chat. If you take one thing away from this article, it’s this:

How Hozuko combats scammers

1) Identity verification, built into the marketplace

We don’t treat verification as a badge for vanity. We treat it as a safety primitive.

• Landlords are incentivised to verify identity via Singpass (and related government-backed digital identity rails). This raises accountability and makes it harder for bad actors to operate at scale.⁹
• Agents are verified when they sign up, and renters can also check agents independently via CEA resources (more on that below).^{10 11}
• Businesses (including co-living operators) are checked as well, because businesses have reputations to protect, and users deserve clarity on who they’re dealing with.

2) Scam monitoring and enforcement that runs around the clock

Scammers evolve, so our system can’t be static.

Hozuko uses a combination of automated checks and human review to detect suspicious behaviour. To avoid helping scammers adapt, we don’t disclose the specific signals or thresholds we use. When we have high confidence, we take action quickly, including warnings, restrictions, and bans.

This is especially valuable for landlords who use in-platform chat, because Hozuko can actually step in. For agents and businesses who prefer direct WhatsApp enquiries, Hozuko can still reduce the risk at the entry point, but off-platform conversations naturally limit what any platform can see.

3) Safer defaults for the whole ecosystem (renters, landlords, agents, and co-living)

Trust and safety is not only about catching scammers. It’s also about setting norms that reduce the odds of someone getting hurt.

Here are practical safety signals we encourage across the board:

A growing problem: scammers pretending to be renters

Most people expect “fake landlords” or “fake agents”.

But increasingly, we also see suspicious accounts pretending to be renters, trying to harvest information. That data can be used for other scams later, including investment/crypto scams, impersonation scams, or even rental scams conducted elsewhere. (If you’ve ever wondered why someone asks for strange details too early, this is one reason.)

For landlords, Hozuko’s in-platform chat is again a protective layer. For agents and businesses handling enquiries directly, you’ll want a simple screening routine.

Quick renter-screening tips (without turning every chat into an interrogation)

• Do a real-time voice call, not just text. Many scammers prefer text-only workflows.
  If you want an extra signal: try calling a non-WhatsApp voice line. A “WhatsApp-only” number can be legitimate, but disposable numbers are commonly used in scams, so treat it as a risk flag, not a verdict.
• Ask grounded questions that real renters answer easily, like intended move-in date, length of stay, who will stay, work location, and viewing availability.
• Be careful with what you share early. Avoid sending NRIC, bank statements, or unnecessary personal documents upfront.
• Use official verification where possible. For agents, point renters to your CEA registration details and let them verify you on the CEA register.¹⁰

If something feels off, trust your instincts and slow down. Scams thrive on speed and social pressure.

Trust & safety FAQs

Is Hozuko safe?
Hozuko is built with trust and safety as a core product pillar: verification for listers, monitoring for suspicious behaviour, and in-platform chat that allows intervention when needed.

Why does verification matter?
Verification increases accountability and makes it harder for bad actors to create endless throwaway identities.

What should I do if I suspect a scam on Hozuko?
Report the user or listing in-app (or contact support). The earlier we see it, the faster we can protect others.

What’s the safest way to communicate?
Use Hozuko’s in-platform chat as long as possible, especially before money, deposits, or personal data enter the conversation.

Closing

Scams are not a side-quest anymore. They are part of the rental market reality in Singapore.^{1 2}

Hozuko’s stance is simple: we’d rather grow slower than grow unsafe.

If you’re a renter, landlord, agent, or co-living operator, we want you to move fast, but not blindly. Browse listings, message safely, and verify who you’re dealing with.

References