Real estate professionals in the Lower Mainland are warning about several bizarre incidents recently, which they say are examples of why you can never let your guard down.
Realtor Xyrina Gutierrez told Global News about a bizarre meeting with a potential client that took place in the basement suite of a Surrey home.
“He mentioned that he has a wealthy family in Saudi Arabia who are billionaires and he wanted to fly (me) out in a private jet to Dubai,” the realtor with Stonehouse Real Estate said.
She said he would touch her leg and every time she wanted to leave, he would turn the conversation around, even telling her at one point that her car had been towed.
“He calls a towing company and doesn’t know I can hear them on the other end and he said ‘You just towed a car and need to bring it back’ and he gave them the address and they say we didn’t tow a car from that house,” Gutierrez said.
She said the man went outside to check on her car and that’s when she left.
Surrey police said the man had used an alias and they are investigating, along with a similar incident.
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“We’ve since discovered that there was another incident with a similar MO on April 7, but in that case, the real estate agent did not go into the basement suite,” Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton with the Surrey Police Service said.
Real Estate agent Brittany McConnel told Global News she had pushback from a client when she asked for identification ahead of the meeting.
Through court services online, the realtor with Royal LePage – Wolstencroft said she discovered the man had previous assault charges and other agents have had dealings with him.
“Ten to 15 years that I’m aware of and over 30 realtors he’s targeted and basically waste their time because he’s tying up properties,” she said.
McConnel never met with the man, but she can understand how others may skip safety steps.
“It’s been a rough go for us this past year and there is going to be some level of desperation for realtors to skip steps and make decisions,” she said.
Agents are reminded to pre-screen clients, share their location with someone through their phone, have meetings in public places and consider using safety apps for real estate professionals.
Last week, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board sent out an email to members about the importance of maintaining strong safety practices when working with members of the public.
“Recently, we have received informal reports from several members describing a pattern of interactions with a prospective buyer that raised concerns,” the email read.
“These patterns included repeated requests to view vacant properties, changes in contact information, and requests for transportation to and from showings.”
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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