"I'm a certified real estate agent affiliated with Remax. You can sign the contract right away with just a deposit."
Recently, there have been many cases of people believing these words and sending money only to suffer losses.

Scammers post listings on online trading platforms like Carrot Market, then present fake Remax business cards and portray themselves as legitimate brokers. They collect money from interested buyers, claiming it's a "down payment" or "reservation deposit," before cutting off contact and disappearing.

The problem is that victims often skip the identity verification process, thinking, “If it’s Remax, I can trust it.”

Why are you impersonating Remax?

Launched in the United States in 1973, Remax is now the world's largest real estate franchise, with over 140,000 agents in over 110 countries. In Korea, the company enjoys a high level of recognition for its brand image, emphasizing professionalism and transparency. Just mentioning the name builds trust, so from the fraudster's perspective, the possibility of receiving a deposit with just a 'signboard' increases.

Here's how to check if you're affiliated with Remax

Fortunately, it's not difficult to tell the difference between real and fake.
Remax Korea official website (www.remaxkorea.co.kr) The top menu includes "Find a Franchise." Searching for a franchise name here will display information, addresses, and contact information for all franchisees nationwide.

The surest way is a phone call. You can contact the affiliate number listed on the website and ask, "Is this person really a certified real estate agent?"

The higher the brand awareness, the more likely it is that fraud will occur. Therefore, if possible, it's safest to schedule a meeting at the broker's office, or at least call to confirm their identity.

Please note that all Remax agents have a unique Remax Agent ID. Before signing a contract, you must request the ID and verify its authenticity through the headquarters or website. It's also essential to verify the business registration certificate and brokerage office registration certificate. You can verify that the business name and registration number match and that the registration certificate is valid by visiting the local government or the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport website.

The last step to prevent damage

If you notice anything even slightly strange during the transaction, you must immediately stop the transaction and report it to the Cyber Investigation Bureau of the National Police Agency (☎182) or the local police station.

A representative from Remax Korea said, “We will continue to strengthen our agent verification system to create a safe real estate transaction environment,” and added, “We ask that consumers check whether the agent is an official franchisee or licensed real estate agent to prevent unnecessary damage.”