There Are All Kinds of People in This World — Including Those Who Prey on Hungry Agents
Most people think a property agent's job is glamorous. Viewings. Commissions. Big deals.
What they don't see are the time wasters, manipulators, and outright abusers that agents sometimes face—especially young or financially struggling ones.
Here is a type of incident that happens more often than the industry admits.
The Setup: A "Buyer" Who Looks Too Good to Be True
It usually starts with a message. A "buyer" contacts an agent (often in Johor Bahru). They sound confident. They speak politely. They drop hints of wealth.
Then the requests begin.
"Can you come to Singapore and pick me up?"
"I want to see many units."
"I'm very serious. Budget is not a problem."
The agent hesitates—but agrees. Why? Because the agent is new, hungry for a sale, and afraid of missing a "High Net Worth" opportunity. They have been taught: "Serve first. The money comes later." So they do.
The Hidden Cost Nobody Talks About
This is where the damage starts. Before the "buyer" even steps into a property, the agent has already paid out of their own pocket.
Petrol for cross-border driving.
Toll charges.
Parking fees.
Meals (because the buyer "doesn't have Ringgit yet" or "wants to eat first").
For a senior agent, RM200 is an expense. For a young agent barely surviving, RM200 is their grocery money for the week.
They are poorer before the scam even ends.
The Escalation: Abuse Disguised as Interest
Once the journey begins, the behaviour shifts. The "buyer" becomes controlling.
"Let's go here first."
"I want to test how professional you are."
"If you are good, I will buy two units."
The agent complies. They drive. They wait. They smile. Because they have already invested time and money, they feel trapped. The "Sunk Cost Fallacy" kicks in.
Then comes the final act. "I need to go to the toilet."
And the person disappears. Phone blocked. WhatsApp blocked. Contact erased. No deal. No apology. No explanation. Just silence.
This Is Not a Scam for Money — It Is a Scam for Power
The most disturbing part? This person didn't steal cash directly from the agent's wallet. They stole time, energy, and dignity.
They exploited someone who was already struggling just to feel important for an afternoon. This is not business misconduct. It is bullying disguised as interest.
Why Young and Poor Agents Are Targeted
These predators don't pick victims randomly. They instinctively target:
- Young agents.
- New agents.
- Agents who seem eager to please.
Because desperation shows. And desperation attracts predators. The cruel irony: The more an agent needs a sale, the more likely they are to be abused.
The Industry Truth Nobody Admits
Sales culture glorifies:
- "Go the extra mile."
- "Customer first."
- "Never say no."
But without boundaries, these slogans turn into self-destruction. Professionalism is not unlimited obedience.
The Lesson: Protect Your Assets
The agent in this story did not fail. They were acting in good faith. They were following training. They were trying to survive.
But the lesson is unavoidable: Time and money are assets. Protect them.
Not every enquiry deserves:
- Cross-border travel.
- Free chauffeuring.
- Paid meals.
Boundaries Are Not Rude — They Are Survival.
Experienced agents learn this the hard way:
- No cross-border pickups without a preliminary Zoom call.
- No paying for client meals on the first meeting.
- No long drives without verified intent.
A genuine buyer understands boundaries. A fake one gets annoyed by them. That annoyance is your filter.
Final Thought
Yes, there are all kinds of people in this world. Some buy homes. Some waste time. And some enjoy humiliating others—especially those who are down on their luck.
If you are a young agent reading this: Getting tricked once does not make you stupid. It makes you experienced.
But experience must turn into standards. Sales is not about pleasing everyone. It is about protecting your time, your money, and your dignity.
Because the real tragedy is not losing RM200 once. It is staying desperate long enough to let people keep taking it from you.
