UK real estate scams rise as agents and sellers use AI to falsify property listings

The prevalence of deceptive property listings, dubbed housefishing, is increasing in the UK due to the use of Artificial Intelligence to fabricate or enhance photos. The BBC reported that some real estate agents and sellers are significantly altering images or generating entirely false pictures to make homes appear more attractive, spacious, or modern. One instance involved Olivia Nicole, who found a five-bedroom property on Rightmove in Southwest London. Upon viewing the actual property, she noted significant discrepancies, such as smaller rooms and different architectural features than depicted online, leading her to suspect AI enhancement. Jack Bushrod, host of the social media series Housing Horrors, observed a marked increase in AI-enhanced listings over the past six months, noting that most lack clear AI disclosure. While Bushrod supports AI for minor cleanups, he objects to misleading buyers, citing examples where AI removed structural elements or added windows. He predicts this trend will accelerate. In response to the growing issue, a female spokesperson for a property agency informed the BBC that the company has implemented a new policy requiring explicit labeling for any listing photos that have been AI-modified.