House hunters were tonight urged to use a qualified agent when renting or buying after it emerged gardai were investigating an alleged property scam in Dublin.
A garda spokeswoman confirmed a complaint had been received after a deposit, thought to be just over €2,000, was handed over to a man for a lease on a house in Tallaght who can no longer be contacted.
Gardaí believe a number of other potential tenants viewed the property and they have appealed for those people to come forward.
"There is one definite complaint but we're aware that other people were shown the house as well, so it's a question of whether they were scammed as well," a garda spokeswoman said.
"What we're trying to tie down is if there are other people out there and to get them to come forward.
"The matter is being fully investigated and gardai are following a number of lines of enquiry," she said.
The Irish Auctioneers & Valuers Institute (IAVI) called on people to use a qualified, professional agent if renting or buying a property.
"This will not cost you any more money as the fees are charged to the seller," the IAVI said.
"You are ensuring that you're dealing with a qualified person who is bound by a code of ethics, and that your rights are protected as a consequence.
"By failing to do so you are exposing yourself to the risk of abuse."
In April 2006 up to 30 people were conned when an advertisement offered a two bedroom apartment for rent in Ballsbridge, Dublin.
Prospective tenants turned up to discover their keys did not fit the locks.
