Real Estate Fraud Prevention

In real estate, fraud often occurs through deceptive offers or deficient contracts. To protect yourself:

- Verify registry documentation: before making any payment, request the updated Title Certificate (from the Title Registry), which is the only public document that guarantees who the real owner is and whether there are mortgages or liens.

- Confirm the legality of the seller or developer: make sure the construction company or real estate agent is registered (with the Chamber of Commerce, with an active Tax ID/RNC) and has a verifiable track record. Pro Consumidor advises buying only from companies “legally incorporated, certified, and registered.” Be wary of sellers operating outside official channels or who do not present clear documents.

- Be cautious with advance payments: never deliver large sums into personal accounts or through social media. Payments should be made before a notary or into an official bank account linked to the notary. Demand a clear and legible contract before making any deposit. Many recent scams (such as Operation “Guepardo”) involved promoting fake projects on social media and collecting deposits in illegitimate accounts. If an offer sounds “too good to be true,” take the time to verify it.

- Formalize with a public deed: every promise of sale must be elevated to a deed before a notary. This document – together with payment of the transfer tax – is necessary to register the purchase in the Real Estate Registry. A duly authorized notary certifies the signatures of both buyer and seller, reducing risks.

At Certitrustt, we recommend legal advice from the very beginning: a specialized attorney can review sales promises or preliminary contracts to ensure fair conditions.

Sources: Dominican legislation (Laws 108-05, 189-11, 140-15, 33-91), Real Estate Registry website, DGII (Property Tax and Transfer Taxes), case law, and Pro Consumidor statements on fraud.

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