What is a Property Title Fraud?

The definitions of deed theft, property title theft, and home title fraud are identical. When someone transfers ownership of your property or takes out a loan using it as collateral, it is known as property title fraud in India.

The majority of victims of fraud are elderly people with property in their names or recently deceased people.

Types of Property Title Fraud

False title fraud

Forged title fraud is the term used when someone signs a sale deed without your permission. It only occurs when fraudsters are able to change the record without the owner’s permission and have excellent connections in municipal agencies. Scammers may forge fresh sales deeds or counterfeit your signature in such a scheme.

Credit on the fictitious title

When someone creates a false identity in order to obtain a mortgage or collateralized loan in place of your property, this type of fraud occurs. These kinds of scams are hard to spot and only become apparent when the con artist stops making EMI payments and the police come knocking on your door.

Disputed property title

Selling you a home with a loan attached to it is just another technique to defraud you. To be on the safe side, always perform due diligence on a property.

Inconvenient Property Status

Fraudsters may also trick you into paying more for a home that you have bought to change its status from leasehold to freehold. Since it’s another typical scam, you should investigate it before purchasing.

Checks to save yourself from property fraud

1-Ensure that the sale deed is registered and has a clear property ownership status with the current owner’s name.
2-Always check for the history of ownership details. 
3-Always verify the owner with his Aadhaar/PAN card and verify these records with the tax receipts filled by the property owner in municipal records.
4-Check for plot/home loans, title transfers, mortgages, or any registered transfers.
5-Pay attention to all your bills like water bills, electricity bills, mortgage bills, etc. If you notice that the bill amount is not as per expectation, it may signify home title fraud.
6-Approval of the building must be authorised by the jurisdictional commissioner or officer authorised by the jurisdictional commissioner in case of ready-to-move/under-construction property.
7-Look for the conversion certificate to verify if the Property Sold on Agricultural Land; a NOC has to be obtained from the local tehsildar’s office for any conversion to save yourself from land frauds.

How Can We File A Complaint In India Regarding Title Property Fraud?
Make a complaint to the police and register a police fraud and breach of trust report. If you want to make a private complaint with the magistrate in the event that the police do not accept it. A lawsuit to recoup the money may be launched.

Along with reviewing the power of attorney, the buyer should confirm all tax receipts up to the sale deed date. These need to be obtained from prior owners in order to verify any obligations and defaults.