12/05/2026
๐ DON'T LET YOUR DREAM HOME BECOME A NIGHTMARE! ๐ก๐ซ
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has raised the alarm regarding a surge in illegal real estate transactions involving subdivisions, housing projects, and condominiums . Scammers are increasingly using social media platforms to promote "sham" projects and lure unsuspecting buyers into fraudulent deals .
Before you part with your hard-earned savings, here is what you need to know about these illegal practices and the government's massive crackdown:
๐ฉ THE MODUS OPERANDI: SPOTTING THE SCAM
No License to Sell: Unregistered "fly-by-night" developers and agents are selling lots or units without the required Certificates of Registration and Licenses to Sell .
Too Good to Be True Prices: Scammers aggressively offer units at prices significantly lower than market value, only to become unreachable once they receive your payment .
Double Selling: Fraudulent sellers may sell the same unit, farm lot, or memorial park lot to two or more different people .
Hidden Status: Units are often sold even when they are already mortgaged to financial institutions or are not registered at all .
Unauthorized Agents: Individuals may act as brokers or intermediaries without being authorized by the developer or the buyer, violating the Real Estate Service Act (RA 9646) .
โ๏ธ THE GOVERNMENT IS FIGHTING BACK
Under Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01 Series of 2021, a powerful Anti-Illegal Real Estate Practices Inter-Agency Task Force has been formed at the national, regional, and local levels . This task force is dedicated to eliminating these corrupt practices and protecting your rights as a buyer .
Who is in the Task Force?
DHSUD (Chair): Leads the implementation and public awareness campaigns .
DOJ & DILG (Co-Chairs): Oversee prosecution and local government coordination .
NBI & PNP: Investigate reports, conduct operations, and effect arrests of illegal practitioners .
LRA: Provides access to land title databases to verify the status of properties .
PRC: Verifies the registration of real estate professionals and revokes licenses of those involved in illegal acts .
DENR: Verifies if the land being sold is part of the public domain or classified as alienable and disposable .
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WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:
1. Demand Documentation: Always ask to see the project's License to Sell and Certificate of Registration .
2. Verify the Professional: Use the PRC resources to ensure your broker or agent is legitimately registered .
3. Report Suspicious Activity: Regional Task Forces are mandated to establish hotlines where you can raise queries or report malpractices .
4. Seek Assistance: If you have been victimized, the Task Force provides legal and technical programs to assist victims in filing cases .
Your lifetime savings are at stake . Verify before you buy! ๐๐ค