Schemes 01

Six of the Most Common Real Estate Fraud Schemes

Real estate fraud is often disguised as legitimate purchase, rental, or investment transactions. Below are the most common schemes reported by affected individuals.

  • Sequence :

    Victims are offered a property under attractive terms. After an advance payment or deposit is made, the transaction is delayed under various pretexts and contact with the seller is eventually lost.

  • Sequence :

    Forged documents are used to falsely confirm ownership or authority to sell the property.

  • Sequence :

    Listings are created for non-existent properties or properties not owned by the advertiser.

  • Sequence :

    The same property is sold or leased to multiple parties at the same time.

  • Sequence :

    Investors are promised returns from properties that do not generate the claimed income or do not exist.

  • Sequence :

    Funds are redirected to fake or scam-controlled escrow accounts.

Step by step 02

How a Real Estate Fraud Case Was Successfully Handled Step by Step

A client reached out after losing funds during a real estate transaction involving falsified documents and a failed transfer of ownership. Below is the sequence of actions our team followed while handling this case

  • Initial
    Assessment

    We reviewed contracts, payment records, property documentation, and communications with the other party to identify indicators of fraudulent activity.

  • Evidence
    Consolidation

    All collected materials were consolidated into a structured report suitable for further work with financial and legal entities.

  • Payment Channel
    Coordination

    Payment channels were engaged and anti-fraud procedures were initiated to limit further fund movement and document transactions.

  • Recovery
    Outcome

    Following the review process and coordination with involved parties, a portion of the funds was returned to the client.

$180,700 Funds Recovered
39 days Review Timeframe
85% Success Probability

Each Real Estate Case Is Unique, but the Methodology Remains Consistent: Document Review, Legal Assessment, and Coordinated Action With Financial Institutions

Get Help

Leadership Team Focused on Real Estate Fraud Cases

03

A specialized structure was established to address real estate fraud, focusing on document verification, transaction analysis, financial monitoring, and coordination of complex cases.

Core Objective
“The team brings together financial analysts, real estate transaction specialists, legal advisors, and technical experts. This approach allows real estate fraud schemes to be identified systematically and each case to be handled through a consistent, transparent process.” - Olaf Scholz
  • leader photo Olaf Scholz Global Oversight Advisor
  • leader photo Ignazio Cassis Senior Analytical Advisory Lead
  • leader photo Pedro Sánchez Risk & Governance Oversight Advisor
Get Help
Stats 04

our team's achievements

We are an intergovernmental organization created to jointly combat financial fraud and protect the property rights of citizens on an international scale. The organization was founded in 2012 by a group of countries facing a sharp increase in cross-border fraud schemes that could not be effectively investigated within a single country.

2016 Activity Start
291 Cases Reviewed
$33 Million Funds Involved
171 Clients Assisted
79% Positive Outcome

Contact with us

06

If you have questions or need assistance related to a potential fraud case, feel free to contact us. Our team will review your situation and explain the available next steps.

  • Address 1101 Connecticut Ave 450,
    Washington DC 20036
  • Contacts Us +1 202 883 1188
  • Our office hours
    • Mon-Fri: 8:00-19:00 GMT
    • Sat: 8:00-14:00 GMT
    • San: 8:00-14:00 GMT
  • Social media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube