Wrote: Fatbardh Dema
Accounts have been spotted on social media such as "Instagram" and "TikTok" showing images of apartments and villas, which are claimed to be for sale, but at much lower prices, below those of the current market in Kosovo and Albania.
The prices that have been set for these properties, as well as the failure to provide any contact information, whether phone numbers or addresses of these "agencies", raised suspicions about these accounts. Each content calls for interested parties to contact only through messages on these social networks.
Hibrid.info has identified three such accounts, two on Instagram and one on TikTok.
Instagram accounts have names like “real_estate.kosova” (15.5 thousand followers), “portal_real_estate.al” (54.5 thousand followers) and on TikTok “portal_real_estate” (128.8 thousand followers).
Content handling
Hibrid.info has handled three pieces of content, one from each account, confirming that they were taken from real estate agencies, and then false prices were put on them. In one case, it was found that the property published on one of these accounts turned out to be taken from a property in Brazil, claiming that it was located in Durrës.
Handling of content published on Instagram by the account “real_estate.kosova”
On August 22, this account published visual content featuring images of an apartment.
The caption on this content states that the apartment is in the "Bregu i Diellit" neighborhood in Pristina and has an area of 70 square meters, and is being sold for a price of 41 thousand euros. (see here)
After research conducted online through the automated program "InVID", hibrid.info found that the same content was published in December 2023 by a real estate agency called "Harta e Pronave Matundshmeri".
The description of this content states that the apartment has an area of 83 square meters, while as for other details, this agency indicates that they can be obtained through the contact number, which is presented in the description. (see here)
Handling of content published on Instagram by the account “portal_real_estate.al”
The visual content published on April 2, 2025 by this account shows images of a house (villa), which is claimed to be built in Durrës (Albania) and is for sale at a price of 150 thousand euros. (see here)
After searching online, it was found that the video featuring this house was published on YouTube on October 8, 2023 by the account "@SAMUELRIBEIROOFICIAL". The description of this video explains that this property is located in a neighborhood in Brazil called "SWISS PARK CAMPINAS".
Handling of content published on TikTok by the account “portal_real_estate”
This content shows the interior of an apartment, and the video caption states that it is located in the "Dardha" complex in Pristina, has an area of 67 square meters and is being sold for a price of 55 thousand euros. The content was published on March 25, 2025. (see here)
After verifying the facts, it was confirmed that this apartment was advertised for sale by a real agency.Real Estate Map", dated July 11, 2024. The description of this advertisement states that its price is negotiable. (see here)
What do the reports say about this phenomenon?
A report by the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) documents that identity fraud and fraudulent offers are on the rise. According to the NMHC, social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are often used to contact victims and coerce them into providing personal information and advance payments, causing them financial harm.
*NMHC is an American organization that monitors and represents the rental market, publishing reports on fraud and risks for tenants and landlords. (see report) here)
What should we keep in mind when we see such content?
Check if the agency exists and is reputable. For example, ask for the agent's name, number, and address.
Don't pay for anything before you see it in person. Watch out for prices that seem "too good to be true," as this is one of the telltale signs of a scam.
Look for photos and videos, as they may have been taken from other real estate sites.
Report similar accounts if you suspect they are publishing deceptive content.