Renting a property in Ghana should be an exciting step toward independence or growth. Instead, many renters face a nightmare: they send a deposit for a property that doesn't exist, or worse, a scammer collects payments and disappears.
According to research into Ghana's property market, 90% of renters worry about falling victim to rental scams, and 93% believe rental scams are common. This is not paranoia — rental fraud is a global problem. The Federal Trade Commission reported over 10,000 rental scam cases in the United States in a single year, and Ghana's largely unverified market leaves renters even more exposed. Yet most renters still take the risk because they have no better option.
Lookeem is changing that. This guide explains how scams work — and how GPS verification stops them cold.
The 5 Most Common Rental Scams in Ghana
Fake Listings With Stolen Photos
How it works: A scammer posts a property listing on Facebook Marketplace or Meqasa. The photos look great — but they're stolen from a legitimate listing on another site. The "landlord" claims the property is available immediately and at a suspiciously low price.
Red flag: The landlord refuses to let you visit or video-tour the property before paying a deposit.
How Lookeem stops it: Every property on Lookeem has a GPS location pin. You can see the exact building, street, surroundings, and neighborhood. A real landlord will meet you at that GPS location. If the property doesn't exist at that coordinate, the scam is obvious before you pay anything.
Properties Listed Multiple Times to Different Buyers
How it works: A scammer lists the same property to 5 different "renters," collecting deposits from each one. By the time the first "renter" realizes they've been scammed, the fraudster has disappeared with ₵50,000+.
Red flag: The landlord pressures you to pay the deposit immediately. "Others are interested — I need to know today."
How Lookeem stops it: GPS verification creates accountability. A property can't be listed as "available" to multiple people simultaneously on Lookeem's system. Landlords are verified, and the platform tracks which properties are actually rented. Scammers avoid verified platforms because they can't hide.
Agents Who Won't Show the Property In Person
How it works: An "agent" claims the landlord is abroad and can't show the property. They ask you to sign a lease and pay the deposit based on photos alone. Once you've paid, you discover the property is either:
• Already rented to someone else • Doesn't exist at the claimed location • Is in much worse condition than advertised
Red flag: Any agent who won't meet you in person at the actual property.
How Lookeem stops it: Direct landlord contact means no middleman excuses. The landlord can meet you at the GPS-verified location. If they refuse, it's a scam.
Cash-Only Payments (And No Receipt)
How it works: The "landlord" insists on cash payment only. No bank transfer, no receipt, no paper trail. You hand over ₵15,000 deposit and get a verbal promise of "tomorrow's lease agreement." The landlord goes silent.
Red flag: Requests for wire transfers to foreign accounts, or cash via Western Union.
How Lookeem stops it: The platform encourages bank transfers (traceable, safe). If a landlord insists on cash-only, it's a red flag Lookeem users know to avoid.
The "Landlord Is Abroad" Excuse
How it works: The scammer claims the landlord is on international assignment and can't meet you in person. They offer a discount for quick payment. "The landlord authorized me to collect the deposit. You'll meet them after signing the lease."
You pay. The "agent" disappears. You later discover the property owner lives in Accra and knows nothing about your rental.
Red flag: Any unwillingness to have you meet the property owner in person at the actual property address.
How Lookeem stops it: Landlords are verified on the platform, and you reach them through direct landlord contact — so you know exactly who you're dealing with. The property has a GPS pin. Meet the landlord there. If they're not the actual owner, move on.
Why These Scams Are So Effective in Ghana
No Verification System Exists (Yet)
Anyone can create a Facebook account and post a property listing. There's no way to verify if the person posting actually owns the property, if the photos are real, or if the location is accurate.
Result: Renters take huge risks. They pay deposits based on faith alone.
Desperation Drives Bad Decisions
Ghana's housing shortage is real. Many renters need to move within weeks. Scammers exploit this urgency: "I have 3 other people interested. If you don't decide today, I'm renting to them."
When you're desperate, you skip due diligence.
No Way to Confirm Property Exists at Claimed Location
A listing says "Spintex, Accra" but provides no GPS coordinates or map. Is it actually on Spintex Road? Is it near the highway or deep in a residential area? You can't verify until you visit — but by then you've often already paid a deposit.
GPS Verification: The Anti-Fraud Technology
How GPS Verification Works
Every property on Lookeem is pinned to an exact GPS coordinate. When you open the app, you see:
• The exact building location on a map • Street view of the surroundings • Proximity to landmarks (hospitals, schools, markets, transport) • Real neighborhood context (not just a photo)
Why This Stops Scammers