Five clear signals point to a fraudulent apartment sale, according to real estate expert Yulia Ermilova in coverage by aif.ru. The first red flag is a price that seems too good to be true. When an apartment is advertised well below market value, cautious buyers should pause and investigate, because this tactic is often a lure designed to rush a decision before due diligence can be completed. Price manipulation is rarely incidental; it operates as a targeted incentive to move quickly, leaving little time for careful verification or professional advice.
Another warning sign is the absence of proper documentation. A legitimate seller should be able to provide a fresh extract from the Unified State Real Estate Register (USRN), and ideally additional supporting papers. Gaps in paperwork—from outdated or forged documents to missing ownership proofs—are strong indicators that something is wrong. Prospective buyers should request these records early and verify them with the relevant authorities before moving forward, ensuring that the property’s legal status is sound and that ownership rights are clear.
Fraudsters frequently try to secure full advance payment before any meaningful paperwork is completed or a viewing is arranged. In many schemes, buyers are pressured to transfer a large deposit or the entire sum before a contract is prepared. When a seller or intermediary pushes for money ahead of time, it should raise immediate suspicion and trigger independent verification from trusted professionals such as a licensed real estate agent or legal counsel. Reputable negotiations never hinge on an immediate payment; transparency and formal processes safeguard both sides.
There are two additional signs that may reflect real-world pressure rather than a straightforward scam. The first is an unusually urgent sale, where the owner or the agent insists on a rapid closing and uses time pressure to bypass careful consideration. The second is a reluctance to meet the owner in person or to approve a sale by proxy, which can shield the true owner from direct scrutiny and complicate authenticity checks. In both cases, slowing the process down and insisting on in-person meetings helps verify identity and ownership while reducing vulnerability to fraud.
In a broader sense, buyers should adopt a disciplined approach to every transaction. This includes cross-checking the seller’s identity, confirming the property’s legal status, and ensuring that all offers and deposits are handled through formal, traceable channels. While urgent deals can occur in hot markets, they should never eclipse due diligence or legal safeguards. A thoughtful buyer will insist on viewing the property, validating the title history, and consulting with a real estate professional before signing any agreement. The goal is to avert losses and ensure that ownership transfers are clean and properly documented. Experts emphasize taking time to verify each element—documentation, pricing, and personal identification—so that a legitimate purchase does not become entangled in a fraudulent scheme. (Real estate expert Yulia Ermilova, aif.ru).