Prospective beach hut owners on the Kent coast are being targeted by fraudsters selling huts they do not own on online marketplaces such as eBay. The scams, which involve listings for huts in Tankerton near Whitstable, offer properties at thousands of pounds below market value to lure unsuspecting buyers.
Canterbury City Council (CCC) has reported multiple incidents, with some scammers even breaking into huts to make listings appear genuine. They offer virtual tours but refuse in-person viewings. Council cabinet member Cllr Chris Cornell warned: 'The golden rule is, if something sounds too good to be true, it generally is.'
Beach huts in the area can fetch upwards of £50,000 on legitimate sites like Rightmove. The council advises buyers to purchase only through agents or beach hut associations and to verify any sale before transferring money. Sue Halfpenny of the Herne Bay Beach Hut Association confirmed at least two fraud incidents locally.
An eBay spokesperson stated the company has a zero-tolerance policy against fraud and works with law enforcement to investigate reported sellers. Victims are urged to report scams to Kent Police, Action Fraud, and eBay.
