Recent real estate fraud cases have been on the rise, with increasingly sophisticated schemes involving “fake investments and real scams.” In response, the Tainan City Government’s Land Administration Bureau has intensified its prevention efforts, particularly for mortgage registrations involving non-financial institutions. Land offices are required to conduct detailed inquiries and, when necessary, assist in reporting suspicious activities to the police to prevent fraud effectively.
Recently, the Guiren Land Office successfully prevented a NT$7.5 million fraud case. A citizen, in urgent need of funds, planned to use their property as collateral to borrow NT$5 million for cryptocurrency investments. The individual had already handed over the original property deed and official seals to a private lending company. However, during the preemptive registration process, land office personnel raised concerns, prompting the citizens to realize the suspicious nature of the investment. The transaction was ultimately halted, successfully protecting the property's value.
The Three Essential Real Estate Documents – Never Hand Them Over Lightly
Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che reminded the public that the original property deed, personal seal, and seal certificate are critical documents for real estate registration and should never be handed over to others lightly. If citizens have doubts about any registration process, they should consult the land office or call the 165 Anti-Fraud Hotline for professional assistance.
Land Administration Bureau Director Chen Shu-mei pointed out that fraudsters often exploit mortgage registrations alongside preemptive or trust registrations, restricting property sales and transfers. To avoid falling victim to scams, property owners should handle registrations in person and carefully review the application details. The public is encouraged to reach out to the Land Bureau or their local land office for further inquiries.
The Three Essentials of Real Estate Registration – Do Not Easily Hand Them Over to Others (Photo/Source: Tainan City Government Website)
Sign Up for “Real-Time Land Registry Alerts” to Strengthen Fraud Prevention
Guiren Land Office Director Cheng Ping-yuan emphasized that prevention is better than dealing with fraud afterward. He encouraged citizens to sign up for the “Real-Time Land Registry Alerts” service. This system notifies property owners immediately in case of any property transfers, mortgage registrations, or document issuance. Through proactive inquiries by land office staff and various fraud prevention measures, the risk of fraud can be significantly reduced, ensuring the safety of citizens’ real estate assets.
