Real Estate Email Scam: $93K Stolen in Fraud
A real estate broker in Quebec has been defrauded of $93,000 after a scammer intercepted his emails and impersonated him in communications with a client, according to a report from Le Journal de Montréal published today.
Pascal Langevin, the broker involved, was targeted in a sophisticated scheme that highlights a growing trend of fraud targeting the real estate sector. The scammer gained access to Langevin’s email account and used it to redirect funds intended for a property purchase to their own account.
This incident occurs amidst a broader surge in fraudulent activity targeting individuals seeking mortgages and real estate transactions. According to a report by UFC-Que Choisir, published in August 2025, fraudsters are increasingly adept at impersonating legitimate brokers and creating convincing, professional interactions with potential clients. One member of the consumer association lost €73,400 (approximately $79,000 USD as of February 13, 2026) in a similar scam.
The methods employed by these scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, mimicking the standard procedures of legitimate mortgage brokers. They establish websites that appear professional and rank highly in search engine results, often using keywords like “economic broker” or “fast loan,” according to Generation-NT. Once a potential client submits their information, the scammers initiate contact and build trust over weeks, requesting documents and simulating the loan application process.
Authorities have taken action against fraudulent actors in the past. In August 2025, a Montreal-area mortgage broker was permanently banned from the profession for forging dozens of false documents, as reported by Le Journal de Québec. However, the current wave of email interception and impersonation schemes presents a latest challenge for both law enforcement and consumers.
UFC-Que Choisir advises individuals seeking mortgages to verify the existence of any company they encounter online by checking the trade and companies registry and the ORIAS database. They also recommend directly contacting the broker whose identity may have been used to confirm their involvement. The organization’s report emphasizes the difficulty in detecting these scams due to the high level of expertise demonstrated by the perpetrators.
As of today, February 13, 2026, the investigation into the fraud against Pascal Langevin is ongoing, and no arrests have been announced. Quebec provincial police have not released details regarding the scope of the investigation or whether similar incidents have been reported.