First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Construction and Housing Vladimir Koshelev announced an increase in the number of scams with housing. The danger of the likelihood of meeting with scammers exists both when buying real estate in the primary market, and when purchasing the cherished «squares» in the so-called «secondary».

Vechernyaya Moskva compiled a list of the top 5 common scams and found out how not to fall for the tricks of scammers.

First, you should definitely pay attention to the people who sell the apartment. Very often there are situations when the owner has died, and according to a previously issued power of attorney, “scammers” make a deal to alienate property.

Secondly, if real estate is being sold by an elderly person or a person with a mental disorder, or a citizen leading an asocial lifestyle, there is no need to get into such a story. Relatives can appeal this transaction in court and terminate it.

Thirdly, scammers increasingly began to use empty apartments, the owners of which have either died or have not appeared for a long time. In such cases, a false power of attorney is issued for the disposal of property, after which the swindlers call a burglar and gain access to the apartment. Further, other documents and certificates are forged, and after the sale they disappear.

Fourth, it happens that the seller requires a deposit. You bring it in, and then it turns out that the apartment, for example, is under arrest. To avoid losses, ask the seller for an extended extract from Rosreestr, which will confirm that the apartment has no encumbrances.

Fifth: another scheme is widespread — understatement of the amount in the contract. The seller does not want to pay tax and persuades you to indicate in the document not ten million, but two. After some time, it turns out that the seller is declared bankrupt, which means that all his transactions over the past three years are invalidated.