The Hawaiian real estate market is being targeted by scammers, warns the state's Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). Perpetrators are distributing counterfeit letters, posing as government agencies, to attract real estate investors into bogus deals. The scheme involves creating fraudulent investment opportunities that appear to be backed by official entities but are, in fact, designed to swindle funds from unwitting victims.
The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs has identified an instance of such deception, where scammers used letterhead bearing the state seal to wrongly pass off as the “Hawaii Real Estate Department and Agencies.” Individuals are being induced to quickly transfer funds, based on misleading market analyses and fake endorsements from celebrities like Jason Momoa. In a statement obtained by the DCCA's alert, Momoa clarified his non-involvement: “I want to assure everyone that I am not associated with these schemes and have no partnership with any real estate firms. Please remain cautious and verify any offers you receive. Stay informed and look out for one another. Mahalo.”
The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is taking a stern stance against these fraudulent actors and is actively educating the public on how to identify and avoid such scams. Legitimate real estate businesses do not press for payments in cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency on the spot – common tactics among scammers.
The department is also reminding the people of Hawaiʻi that legitimate government sectors, including the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, do not solicit property evaluations or investments over unsolicited communication. Any such offers should be regarded as suspect. Anyone who encounters such scams is urged to gather evidence and report it to the Consumer Resource Center at 808-587-4272 or via email.
The Real Estate Branch, part of the DCCA's Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, assists the Real Estate Commission with services ranging from education to disciplining licensees. This oversight is essential in preventing fraud and protecting investors.
