Whistleblower - a programme investigating criminal and anti-social practices in UK organisations and businesses - broadcast its expose of estate agents on 21 March and has since been inundated with calls, e-mails and letters from consumers terrified of the financial swindles they could become victim to when buying or selling a property.

The programme saw two BBC reporters working undercover for several months in London estate agents, and their work revealed some of the dodgy practices that go on in the industry. These included lying to customers, back-handed deals with property developers, false passports and a willingness to con an elderly customer in return for a £10,000 pay off.

While the programme emphasised that there are many reputable estate agents that reject such deceitful practices, Whistleblower has resulted in calls for a tougher watchdog to monitor and standardise the property industry. Even Parliament is getting involved, with Lib Dem MP Richard Younger-Ross demanding police action and further regulation of the industry as a whole.