Would-be Sutherland crofters warned over land purchase scam

Aspiring crofters are being targeted in a land purchase scam.

The Crofting Commission said the fraud involves fake crofts and at least one person in Sutherland had been approached.

"We have recently been made aware of a scam where an individual claiming to be a landlord of a croft is offering the tenancy of this non-existent croft to unsuspecting victims," it said.

"Please, if you are looking at becoming a crofter, check both the Register of Crofts on our website and the Crofting Register to verify that the details of the croft you are interested in are correct. https://crofting.scotland.gov.uk/register-of-crofts (and) https://www.crofts.ros.gov.uk/register/search

"If you do suspect a scam please contact Consumer Advice either online or by calling 0808 1646 000. https://www.consumeradvice.scot/

"Contact the police immediately by calling 101 if the scammer is in your area or you've transferred money to the scammer in the last 24 hours."

A spokesperson added: "We were alerted to this when an individual made contact with us to check on the status of a croft which turned out not to actually exist.

"I understand that this croft was described as being in Sutherland somewhere and as far as I know no money exchanged hands on this occasion.

"The matter has been reported to Citizens Advice Bureau's Consumer Advice."

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