Residents urged to be cautious of land scam in Socorro

EL PASO, Texas ( KTSM ) — The Socorro Police Department is urging residents to be cautious due to a recent scam involving the fraudulent sale of land within Socorro, the Police Department said in a press release on Monday, Sept. 16.

The Police Department is currently investigating multiple cases where people have posed as landowners, offering parcels of land for sale in exchange for cash, Cash App payments, or other forms of payment.

The Police Department says scammers have also been accessing the El Paso County Appraisal District’s open records to obtain the names of legitimate property owners and forge documents, including using fake notaries, to make the fraudulent sales seem legitimate.

Residents are encouraged to be vigilant and to verify all documents thoroughly before proceeding with any land purchase. Those who are approached on purchasing property and have any doubts or concerns should refrain from making a transaction and contact the Socorro Police Department.

Those who believe they may have been targeted or who have information regarding this scam should contact the Socorro Police Department at (915) 858-9237 or email their Criminal Investigations at CID@costx.us.

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