Mamta Saini, a 27-year-old property professional, was nearly the victim of a cruel property scam. One day, she was sitting at home when an excited young couple knocked on her door. They wanted to see her house. Mamta was confused because her home was not for sale.
A few hours later, another prospective buyer arrived at her door. Soon, a dozen people visited, each claiming they saw an online ad for her property. Mamta soon realised that someone had misrepresented her home. Fraudsters had created fake listings that advertised her property for sale. The scam had all the hallmarks of a well-planned operation.
At first, Mamta thought there had been a mistake on a property listing website. She explained to the visitors that her home was not for sale. However, the visits kept coming. Each visitor mentioned that they had seen an ad online. The consistency of their stories made her suspect foul play.
The Fraudulent Listing
Mamta was shocked to learn that her home was being advertised online at half its market value. The fraudster had listed her property at an attractive price of £395,000. This low price was meant to draw in unsuspecting buyers quickly. The scammers went further by falsifying documentation. They produced fake deed paperwork and misleading sale listings.
The criminals stole details about Mamta from public records, social media, and spam mail. They used this information to create convincing yet fraudulent documents. Mamta was forced to act quickly. She contacted the property websites to have the ads removed. Although there was some initial scepticism, she presented her official property deed and government identification as proof of ownership. Within 48 hours, the ads were taken down.
The Intended Scam
Mamta believes the fraudster planned to accept deposits or charges from buyers. The scam would have collapsed when the title of the property was examined. In a proper sale, a buyer’s deposit and further payments are made only after verifying the seller’s ownership. In this case, any genuine buyer would have discovered Mamta’s legitimate ownership. However, many buyers could have lost significant amounts of money before the scam was exposed.
The criminals aimed to benefit by taking deposits or charges from those who believed they were purchasing a property at a discounted price. Once they collected the money, they intended to disappear. Fortunately, Mamta’s vigilance and quick action stopped the fraud in its tracks.
Fraudsters often rely on fake documentation to give their scams credibility. In Mamta’s case, the perpetrators created misleading property sale listings. They forged deed paperwork using stolen personal information. The documents appeared genuine, tricking potential buyers into believing they were dealing with the actual owner. This also made it harder for authorities to trace the scammers.
In 2025, the process of creating fake documents has become even more sophisticated. Criminals now use data from public records and social media. They piece together enough detail to fool buyers and real estate websites. This makes it critical for homeowners to protect their personal information.
Police Investigation
Mamta reported the case to the police, and authorities treated her complaint seriously. However, the fraudster used fake email accounts, false names, and virtual identities, leading the investigation to a dead end. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, the person or people behind the scam remain at large.
In the UK, there have been several cases of fraudulent home sales. HM Land Registry has helped prevent such scams. Between 2021 and 2022, new measures stopped criminals from targeting homeowners to steal deeds, saving millions of pounds. Still, homeowners must remain vigilant. Mamta now uses a five-point ringfencing plan to protect her property. She offers expert advice for homeowners to stay safe from similar scams:
Track Your Property Records
Check your property title regularly to ensure no unauthorised changes have occurred. This step is crucial in detecting fraud early.
Guard Your Personal Information
Be cautious about sharing personal details online. Fraudsters collect data from public records and social media to create fake documents. Limit the amount of personal information you post on the internet.
Monitor Property Listings
Frequently review online property listings. If you find your home listed for sale without your authorisation, contact the website immediately. Quick action can stop the scam before it progresses.
Verify Professionals
Always verify the credentials of real estate professionals, lawyers, and officials. Work only with confirmed practitioners to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.
Act Quickly
If you suspect fraud, report it immediately. Contact your real estate website, a lawyer, and the police as soon as possible. Early intervention can prevent further damage and financial loss.
Impact on Homeowners
Cases like Mamta’s can have a lasting impact on homeowners. Beyond the immediate stress, such incidents can damage a person’s confidence in the property market. They remind us of the importance of safeguarding our personal information. Homeowners need to remain proactive in monitoring their property records. This vigilance can stop fraud before it causes harm.
For property professionals, these scams are a call to action. The real estate industry must work closely with law enforcement and online platforms. Together, they can develop better systems to detect and prevent fraudulent listings. Homeowners should also take extra precautions by regularly checking public records and monitoring property listings.
A Growing Trend
Mamta Saini’s experience is a stark reminder of the risks in today’s property market. Fraudsters often use stolen personal data and fake documents to target unsuspecting homeowners. The scam could have cost buyers significant money, but quick action stopped the scam before it escalated. Homeowners must remain alert and take proactive steps to protect their property.
You can safeguard your home by tracking property records, guarding personal information, monitoring listings, verifying professionals, and acting quickly. The lessons from this case can help strengthen the overall defence against property scams. Home security is a shared responsibility. Work with trusted professionals and report suspicious activity immediately. These steps are key to protecting your property and your future.
