What is bait-and-switch land fraud?

Bait-and-switch land fraud happens when a seller shows you one plot, then tries to hand over a different parcel at payment time. The survey plan, coordinates, or on-site visit may look convincing until the paperwork or registry record does not match what you walked on.

Common warning signs

• The seller rushes you to pay before you can verify the survey plan or visit the plot.
• Coordinates on the plan do not match where you were shown on site.
• The seller avoids a fresh survey or refuses a third-party check.
• Plot boundaries on site look unclear or different from the plan sketch.

What to verify before you pay

1. Survey plan check — Cross-check the plan for consistency, parcel size, and nearby features from your desk.
2. On-site GPS — Stand on the plot and capture your location to see if it matches the surveyed parcel.
3. Registry due diligence — Order a full title search when you need court, encumbrance, and registry confirmation.

PlotSight is built for step 1 and 2 in minutes, and step 3 when you need deeper due diligence.

If something already feels wrong

Pause payment, document what you were shown (photos, coordinates, plan copies), and get independent verification. A small check cost is far less than losing a large land payment on the wrong parcel.