Strange figure spotted in M'sia property listing for condo unit put up for rent

A run-of-the-mill property listing for a condominium unit in Malaysia that has been put up for rent has sent shivers down the spines of some.

A dark figure was spotted sitting on a flight of stairs in the unit in one photo.

The picture is one of 20 or so uploaded online to showcase the interior of the three-storey home in Selangor, Malaysia.

The 3,595 sq ft (334 sq m) apartment with four bedrooms and five-bathrooms was listed for RM2,900 (S$875) a month.

The sprawling condominium property is touted as part of a resort-themed duplex development.

The listing has been up since Sep. 9, 2024.

Who is that?

The photo with the supposed entity stood out as the shadowy figure appeared underexposed and was seated on the steps surrounded by the partially furnished interior.

A zoomed-in shot of the entity did not reveal its identity or other details either, as its features could not be made out.

Sparked chatter

Photos of the listing shared to social media led to speculation about its authenticity.

Some questioned if the photo was even real, which led to others to search for the exact listing, which turned out to be authentic.

Commenters who questioned if this was a publicity stunt or a prank by the agent responsible for the listing to drum up interest were met with the response that such a photo with a ghostly apparition would inevitably dissuade potential tenants.

Others also commented that photos taken and uploaded online to showcase a property had to be reviewed by the agent first, which made it unlikely not to have spotted such an unusual shot.

Property agent contacted

According to Sin Chew Daily, one person who came across the listing while looking for a property to rent then contacted the property agent responsible for the listing to ask about the strange figure in the photo.

In response, the agent revealed that the photo was taken on Jun. 9, 2024.

The agent said the figure in the photo was the property's owner and was seated on the stairs at that time.

The person browsing rental properties then admonished the agent to not use that photo, as people might read into it, and given how the other photos of the property looked good.

To avoid causing alarm, the agent removed the photo with the steps.

Top photos via property listing