Like many other forms of transactions, you can now easily acquire or sell property in Rwanda through digital platforms. This has made it convenient for anyone, even Rwandans in the Diaspora, to purchase or sell property in the country. Unfortunately, it has also made it more convenient for criminals to access information related to property ownership and impersonate or steal the identity of bona fide owners. But scammers are going beyond just posing as owners of property to falsifying crucial documents like construction permits and land titles. Some have even been bribing their way to access these vital documents. Now, City of Kigali officials have come out to warn the public against these fraudsters, urging prospective property buyers to always be vigilant and verify the authenticity of property documents, including use of digital authentication mechanisms. In some cases, people have connived with corrupt local leaders to construct illegal buildings without requisite construction permits in contravention of the City Master Plan, and go on to dupe unsuspecting members of the public to buy the property. The experience of those who have unfortunately been fleeced of their money by such scammers should serve as a wake-up call to anyone wishing to acquire property. Any prospective buyer needs to ensure that the property they intend to purchase was legally constructed or acquired and is being sold by their rightful owners. And, technology has made this easier. For instance, to tell whether a construction permit is genuine or not you can scan its codes with a QR and Barcode scanner, an application that you can download on your smartphone. If the permit is genuine you will be able to see its Unique Parcel Identification, address, the surface of the plot, the name of the project and the name of the architect who submitted the project. The same applies to people who go through third parties to construct buildings. Many diaspora Rwandans, in particular, have been taken advantage of by dishonest relatives or friends and quack architects. No one should fall prey to these scammers yet there are mechanisms to ensure that the property you are building or buying has all the requisite documentation.
