Costa Rica property scam check

Is this property a scam? Check before you pay.

Most Costa Rica property fraud is invisible in the listing and the photos, but visible in the public records. Here are the six scams that catch foreign buyers, and how to check any property in minutes before you wire a deposit.

Check this property free

The 6 scams that catch buyers

The fake owner / forged power of attorney. Someone poses as the owner with a forged cedula or poder notarial, takes a deposit, and vanishes.
How Folio catches it: Folio shows the registered owner of record so you can confirm the seller actually matches.
Concession sold as if it were title. Beachfront in the 200m maritime zone is concession, not ownership, but it gets 'sold' like fee-simple.
How Folio catches it: Folio overlays the official maritime line so you see if the land is concession before you pay.
The double sale. The same property is sold to two buyers, or a property with a fresh chain of quick transfers.
How Folio catches it: Folio surfaces the registry record so a too-clean or too-fresh ownership story stands out.
Hidden liens and tax debt. A mortgage, lien or unpaid taxes that travel with the title straight to you.
How Folio catches it: The verified report pulls liens, mortgages and tax status from the Registro Nacional.
The fake or mismatched plano. A survey map that does not match the registered boundaries, or no plano at all.
How Folio catches it: Folio checks the cadastral parcel so a missing or mismatched plano is obvious.
No water, no permit. A 'buildable' lot with no water availability, so you can never get a permit.
How Folio catches it: Folio flags water availability so you know before you buy, not after.

Don't wire a deposit on faith

Run the address or finca through Folio. Official government records, in plain English, in one tap.

Check a property free

The one rule that stops most fraud

Pull a certified report from the Registro Nacional before you pay any deposit, use your own independent attorney and notary (never the seller's), and never send money to a personal account. Folio does the records side instantly so you walk in already knowing the red flags. Learn more in the full scams guide or the due-diligence checklist.

Common questions

How can I tell if a Costa Rica property listing is a scam?

Verify three things before you pay anything: that the seller matches the registered owner in the Registro Nacional, that there are no hidden liens, and that beachfront is not maritime-zone concession sold as title. Folio checks all three in minutes.

Is it safe to buy property in Costa Rica?

Yes, when you do the records check first. Costa Rica's registry is public, so most fraud is detectable before closing. The danger is wiring a deposit before verifying. Run a free Folio scan, then close with your own attorney.

What should I never do when buying property in Costa Rica?

Never wire a deposit before a certified records check, never use the seller's attorney or notary, and never send money to a personal account or informal escrow.

General information, not legal advice. If a deal feels wrong, stop and consult a licensed Costa Rican attorney.