Recently, a series of scams have emerged, with scammers claiming to be "licensed real estate agents affiliated with Remax" and disappearing after receiving a deposit. Criminals post listings on online platforms like Carrot Market, then present fake business cards and disguise themselves as authorized agents. Victims often skip the identity verification process, believing Remax is trustworthy. Remax is the world's largest real estate franchise, with over 140,000 agents in over 110 countries. Even in Korea, Remax is highly recognized for its professionalism and transparency, making it easy for scammers to extract deposits through mere branding. However, verifying a real estate agent's identity is easy. Simply search for an agent on remax.co.kr. Every Remax agent has a unique Agent ID, so it's recommended to request one and verify it with the company headquarters or the website before signing a contract. You should also check the business registration certificate and real estate agency registration certificate to ensure the business name and registration number match, and that the registration certificate is valid.
If you sense anything unusual during a transaction, it's best to immediately stop the transaction and report it to the Cyber Investigation Bureau of the National Police Agency (☎182) or your local police station. Consumers are strongly advised to verify the authenticity of the merchant and its authorized broker to avoid unnecessary damage.