10 Of The Most Common Property Scams You Need To Avoid in Pakistan

This is a short list of the most common property scams you need to avoid if you are planning on investing in real estate or purchasing property in Pakistan. It is also useful for anyone looking to buy property abroad, as these scams are more likely to occur overseas. 

1) Real Estate Agents 

If you have been contacted by a real estate agent and they ask you to transfer money into their account before showing you any properties, do not comply with this request. If they insist that it is necessary to pay them upfront, be very suspicious and try to find out why they require such a large sum of money up front.  

They will probably tell you that they are buying the property from an individual who does not want to sell it and needs to raise some capital to complete the deal. This may seem like a good idea, but remember that real estate agents only care about making a profit for themselves. If they cannot make money off selling your property, they will simply let you down and you can find another agent. 

2) Fake Construction Workers 

There are many scams that involve fake construction workers. Some of these include: 

1. Workers who claim that they need to conduct repairs on your property, then refuse to do anything until you pay them. They might say that they are working on the property in order to obtain permits, but when you ask them what permits they actually need, they say they don’t know. In reality, they are just trying to get paid without doing any work. 
2. Workers who show up at your property claiming to be from the building department, but who ask for bribes before they will even start working. 
3. Workers who come onto your property pretending to fix something, but then disappear after stealing whatever they came to steal. 

3) Fraudulent Land Owners 

It is important to check the land registry and see whether the person you are dealing with owns the property that they claim to own. There are several ways in which someone can pretend to own a piece of property, including: 

1. Someone who claims to be a relative of the original owner. 

1. A company that is registered under the name of someone else. 

1. An individual who is married to a dead person’s widow or child. 

4) Illegal Renting Out Properties 

Illegal renting out properties is widespread in Pakistan. If you suspect that someone is illegally renting out a property, there are several things that you should look for: 

1. There are no signs of life at the property. 
2. The windows and doors have been removed. 
3. All electricity and water connections have been cut. 
4. There are no lights on inside the house. 

5) False Divorce 

Many people think that a divorce means that the husband and wife are now free to marry again. However, this is not true. In fact, a woman who divorces her husband is often forced to sign away all rights to her property and assets. She might also be asked to pay alimony to her ex-husband. 

6) Fake Relatives 

People who claim to be relatives of the original owners of a property sometimes turn out to be frauds. They will try to convince you that they are related to the original owner and can prove it. However, they will usually ask for money up front in exchange for proof of their relationship. Never give them any money. Instead, contact the local police station and report them. 

7) Fake Buyers 

Some individuals who claim to be interested in buying a property will try to trick you into giving them a lower price. They might offer to pay less than the market value of the property, or they might claim that the property is in better condition than it really is. Be very careful about accepting any offers from strangers. If you suspect that you are being tricked, contact the local police station and report them. 

8) Fake Contractors 

Be very wary of contractors who come to your property offering to repair it. If they claim that they are qualified to do the job, ask for their license number. If they refuse to provide one, contact the local police station and report them. 

9) Fake Inspections 

A lot of people in Pakistan believe that it is best to trust the word of a real estate agent rather than to check the property yourself. This is a mistake. If you hire a property inspector to inspect the property, you should insist on seeing the results of the inspection. Do not accept vague answers such as “the walls are sound” or “there is nothing wrong with the roof”. Ask for specific details and make sure that the inspector has all the proper permits. 

10) Fake Realtors 

If you are thinking of investing in real estate, never pay money to a realtor. There are many fake ones who will promise to help you buy a property, but will actually take your money and leave you with a worthless property. Contact the local police station and report them. 

Final Words 

These scams are widespread in Pakistan. Most people are unaware of how easy it is to fall victim to them. However, if you keep your wits about you and avoid falling prey to these scams, you should be able to save a considerable amount of money. The main thing to remember is that if someone seems too good to be true, they probably are.