Action Group | Damascus
In light of the increasing cases of fraud and forgery in real estate sales, Ghiath Dabbour, a lawyer and legal advisor, issued a new warning to citizens through an awareness post, stressing the need to exercise caution and thorough verification when purchasing any property.
Dabbour said: “For the thousandth time, and in the interest of your safety and rights, I reiterate the danger of falling into the traps of fraudsters and unscrupulous people who exploit some people’s ignorance of legal procedures.
He stressed the importance of verifying the seller’s identity, saying: “It must be ensured that the seller is the true owner of the property, and not a broker, agent, or even a relative. If the sale is conducted through a power of attorney, it must be certified, up-to-date, and legally authorize the seller to sell.”
He also pointed out the need to exercise caution when signing the contract, explaining that only a small amount should be paid as a down payment, while the remaining amount should be completed upon the official transfer of ownership or acknowledgment before the court.
Dabbour explained that the type of property ownership plays a fundamental role in verification.
If the property is registered in the real estate registry, a recent record extract should be requested, free of any prohibitions. If the ownership is based on a court order, the phrase “acquired final status”should be verified.
If the ownership is based on an irrevocable power of attorney, the power of attorney must be valid and up-to-date.
Regarding properties in informal or unorganized areas, he recommended carefully inquiring among neighbors and verifying the seller’s actual ownership, warning against rushing into the sale, especially if the seller expresses a rush, claiming travel or financial need.
In cases of inheritance, Dabbour stressed the need to request a certified estate inventory document and to ensure the presence of heirs or their legal representatives.
He concluded his post by saying: “O God, I have conveyed the message. O God, bear witness. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Do not trust honeyed words. Only valid ownership documents matter, and anything else is not valid.”
It’s worth noting that this warning comes amid the widespread phenomenon of real estate fraud in some areas, which calls for legal awareness and collective efforts to protect citizens’ rights.