Avoiding housing fraud

Deposit fraud frequently targets foreign residents. If you see the signs below, stop right there.

Warning signs

1. The price is far below the market. There is no such thing as a cheap place for no reason.
2. You are rushed — "if you don't do it today, it's gone".
3. The owner on the register differs from the person contracting.
4. The mortgage on the register is close to the property's value.
5. You are told not to file the move-in report.
6. They won't give you the contract, or refuse special terms.
7. You are asked to send money to an account not in the owner's name.
8. The building has very many units and one landlord owns many properties.
9. The agent's registration and mutual aid certificates are missing.

Always do before signing

1. Get the property register yourself at www.iros.go.kr — anyone can.
2. Compare the owner's name with their ID.
3. Compare the mortgage amount with the property's value.
4. Check the agent's registration and mutual aid certificates.
5. Transfer all money to an account in the owner's name.
6. File the move-in report and get the fixed date stamp immediately after signing.

If it happens to you

1. Gather evidence — contract, transfer records, messages, advert photos.
2. Report to the police — 112 or your nearest station.
3. Get free legal advice — 132, Korea Legal Aid Corporation.
4. Ask about victim support — Ministry of Land 1599-0001, local jeonse victim support centres.
5. Find other victims. Acting together with others harmed by the same landlord or agent is stronger.

Where to go

• 112 police
• 132 Korea Legal Aid Corporation (free legal advice)
• Ministry of Land 1599-0001 (jeonse damage and safety)
• Internet registry www.iros.go.kr
• 1577-1366 · 1345 interpreted advice
• Local support centre for foreign workers and Family Center

Questions people ask

I can't check because of the language. Do not sign alone. Ask a Family Center or support centre for foreign workers to accompany and interpret. It is free.

Someone from my own country introduced it — can I trust them? Sharing a nationality does not make it safe. Exploiting that trust is a common tactic. Follow exactly the same checks.

I already sent the money. Report to 112 immediately and get advice from 132. The faster you act, the better the chance of recovery.

Can I report without valid status? You can report a crime you suffered. If worried, speak to 1345 or a support organisation first.

Take care

Do not send a single won before checking the property register. That includes down payments and holding deposits. "If you don't put money down now you'll lose it" is the single most common sentence in these frauds.

Related

lease-contract · deposit-protection · real-estate-agent · jeonse-wolse

Source

Ministry of Land www.molit.go.kr / Korean National Police Agency www.police.go.kr / As of 2026-08