Danish real estate agents use AI to outsmart burglars

Real estate agents in Denmark are using artificial intelligence to remove valuable items from property listing photos in an effort to deter burglars, Danish broadcaster DR reports.

The move follows a warning from East Jutland Police earlier this week urging homeowners to consider what they display in photos when selling their properties. Police noted a rise in targeted burglaries where thieves scout addresses through online listings, sometimes even pre-programming GPS devices with potential targets.

Peter Dybvad, owner of two Nybolig real estate offices in Aarhus, confirmed the problem, stating that his agency handles around 400 property sales annually and regularly encounters burglaries in listed homes. “We sometimes notice that specific items are being targeted,” he said.

To combat the issue, Nybolig now uses AI-powered retouching tools to remove high-value items—such as the iconic “Koglen” (The Ball) pendant lamp by Poul Henningsen—from listing photos. “If there’s a ‘Koglen’ hanging over the dining table, we’ll remove it because we know thieves look for these things,” Dybvad explained.

East Jutland Police have observed an increase in premeditated burglaries this spring, with suspects in recent cases in Randers and Djursland allegedly targeting homes based on online listings. “They’ve gone after design furniture and lamps that were visible in the sales ads,” said Deputy Police Inspector Mads Flansmose.

Authorities advise sellers to avoid showcasing expensive items in listing photos, acknowledging the balance between marketing a home effectively and protecting it from theft.