Land Scam - Money Maker or Money Taker?

Whether it's a flier for a free seminar, an unsolicited e-mail or a newspaper advertisement, offers to buy land as an investment in the UK. While the messages may sound appealing, they are often announcing a business opportunity that is actually a scheme to take your money rather than to make you money. Promoters of fraudulent business or franchise opportunities are likely to apply high-pressure sales tactics to get you to buy in. So take your time and do your research before you get involved. If it's a legitimate business opportunity, it'll still be around when you're ready to decide.

Take these steps to make sure the business (land investments) is legitimate and shun any new escape becuase people have already suffered in London Land Scams, Kent Land Scams and Sussex Land Scams:

• Get all earnings claims in writing and be sure the information includes information about other clients who have earned at least as much as the promotion claims.

• Interview references provided by the promoter. Business opportunity promoters are required to give potential purchasers the contact information of at least 10 prior purchasers who live the closest to the potential purchaser.

• Study the business opportunity's franchise disclosure document. Most business opportunity promoters must provide this information to potential purchasers. It will include information about whether the company has faced any lawsuits from prior purchasers or lawsuits alleging fraud.

• If the business involves selling products from well-known companies, call the legal department of the company whose merchandise is being promoted. Find out whether the business opportunity and its promoter are affiliated with the company. Ask whether the company has ever threatened trademark action against the business opportunity promoter.

The author is a Land Expert based in the UK and consults on Kent Land Scams.