The Challenge

In 2024, Sydney's rental market was plagued by scams. Public Facebook groups were flooded with "ghost" listings, stolen photos, and fraudulent actors targeting vulnerable seekers. Trust in online communities was at an all-time low.

The Strategy: "Safety First"

I decided to rebuild trust from the ground up by implementing a strict, zero-tolerance growth system:

• Forced Privacy: I switched the group to private immediately. While this slowed initial growth numbers, it increased the group's perceived and actual value.
• Manual Vetting: Every single member request (thousands per month) was personally reviewed. If a profile didn't look authentic or lacked a local connection, it was denied.
• Post-by-Post Approval: I turned on post approval for every single listing. I manually verified images and descriptions to ensure they weren't generic "scam" formats.

Fostering a Real Community

Growth wasn't just about security; it was about engagement. I focused on making the group feel alive:

• Celebratory Content: I shared regular updates on the group's milestones, making members feel part of a successful "safe haven."
• Active Moderation: I maintained an active presence, answering questions and providing guidance on how to avoid scams outside the group.

The Results

By focusing on quality over quantity, the group achieved organic virality. It became known among Sydney renters as the only place where you could find a sublet without fear of being scammed.

Today, it stands as the gold standard for reliable rental communities in Australia, growing purely through word-of-mouth and consistent moderation excellence.