PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT – SCAMMERS FRAUDULENTLY SELLING VACANT LAND

EL PASO, TEXAS - The El Paso County Sheriff's Office has received several complaints and has seen an increase in the fraudulent selling of land. The scammers are focusing on vacant land lots and putting them up for sale and selling them to unsuspecting victims to which they do not own, causing Victims significant financial losses.

Scammers employ various tactics to avoid detection such as:

• They target unencumbered property, vacant land with no signs, often on unimproved or unincorporated areas of the County.
• Estate properties where ownership has not been transferred to heirs and are still under the name of recently deceased.
• Scammers will push for quick sales and attempt to sell the land an under-market pricing.
• Seller might avoid meeting in person and often use burner phones or use phone applications that allows them to use a temporary number, or will attempt to make all communication through applications such as WhatsApp or similar.
• They will insist in using their chosen e-notary or arranging notarizations themselves and refuse in person signings. Will often use excuse that they are out of town, don't reside in El Paso anymore and are just trying to get rid of the property or similar to avoid meeting in person.
• They will demand cash transactions and direct sales to individuals not listed on property title or deed.

We recommend everyone interested in buying land to investigate the property and confirm ownership before entering agreements. We also recommend using broker, listing agent or other professional guidance to ensure the sale is legitimate.

Don't fall Victim to these types of scams, do your research before it's too late. We encourage the public to report any suspicious activity.