Quick Summary
Remote landowners can be targeted even when the property is located hundreds of miles away from where they live. In this case, a Colorado farmer discovered someone had allegedly impersonated him in an attempt to list and sell his Texas farmland without permission.
A Colorado farmer says he discovered that someone had allegedly attempted to sell farmland he owns in Hutchinson County, Texas, without his authorization. According to reports, the suspect contacted a realtor while posing as the landowner and used the farmer’s real name and mailing address to make the listing appear legitimate. The suspected scammer also used a Google phone number and remote communication to avoid direct verification while trying to move the sale forward.
The fraud reportedly unraveled after both a local neighbor and the realtor contacted the real owner about activity tied to the land. Agricultural real estate experts say these impersonation schemes are becoming more common, especially with vacant farmland, inherited property, and land owned by people who live out of state. Suspects often create urgency, favor quick closings, and avoid in-person meetings before inconsistencies are discovered. The case shows how remote ownership can create a dangerous blind spot for property owners.
This story was first posted on DTN.com
How This Type of Fraud Works
- A criminal identifies vacant or remotely owned land.
- Public records are used to impersonate the owner.
- A realtor is contacted to list the property.
- Buyers are pushed toward a fast transaction.
- The fraud is uncovered when someone verifies with the real owner.
