how do i find out if an estate agent abroad it legitimate?

Question

i'm just about to buy a property abroad, the estate agent in the country is from england, seems nice enough, but was wondering if there was away to find out if he is running a legitamate company....after all, cant be too careful can i !!

Answer 1

It should be down to your UK Solicitor (and UK Mortgage Company) to check out that everything is 'above board' (as I recall, usually all moneys go via the Solicitor anyway).

Of course, if you don't have one because the 'Agent' said you don't need one, or you are using the Agents 'recommended' Solicitor, I would be immediately suspicious...

Other clues are :-
Agent contacted you 'out of the blue' via (junk) eMail or (cold calling) phone

Agent uses free public email address (@yahoo.co.uk, @gmail , @hotmail .....)

Agent asks you to send 'administration fees', 'application fees', 'booking fees', 'valuation fees' etc etc via Western Union ..

Agents phone number starts with a pre-fix that places him in Lagos or Nairobi ... (or anywhere except the Country he is supposed to be operating from)