For many UK property owners, title deeds are something that remain firmly in the background. Once a purchase has completed and ownership is registered with HM Land Registry, there is often little reason to think about the legal record again.

However, recent figures published by HM Land Registry serve as an important reminder that property ownership can still be targeted by fraudsters.

While incidents remain relatively uncommon compared with the millions of registered properties across England and Wales, the financial and legal consequences can be significant, particularly for owners living overseas or those with properties that are unoccupied for long periods.

According to figures, HM Land Registry dealt with 55 cases of property hijacking between April 2025 and March 2026. Although the numbers remain relatively low, the cases illustrate how criminals continue to target properties where ownership may be less actively monitored.

For UK expatriates, overseas landlords and high-net-worth individuals with multiple properties, understanding these risks has become an increasingly important part of protecting long-term wealth.

What Is Property Hijacking?

Property hijacking, often referred to as title fraud or property title theft, occurs when criminals attempt to impersonate a property's legitimate owner in order to sell it or raise finance against it without the owner's knowledge.

Fraudsters may use forged identity documents, intercepted correspondence or false personal information to convince solicitors, lenders or other professionals that they are the registered owner.

If successful, they may attempt to:

• Sell the property to an unsuspecting buyer.
• Obtain a mortgage secured against the property.
• Transfer ownership illegally.
• Create lengthy legal disputes that can take months to resolve.

Although safeguards within the conveyancing process make these crimes relatively rare, fraudsters tend to focus on properties where the true owner is less likely to notice unusual activity.

Which Properties Are Most At Risk?

HM Land Registry has consistently identified certain categories of property as presenting a higher fraud risk.

The latest reporting indicates that mortgage-free properties, rental properties and homes left empty for extended periods are among those most frequently targeted.

This is particularly relevant for:

• UK expatriates living overseas.
• International investors.
• Owners of second homes.
• Landlords with large portfolios.
• Executors administering vacant estates.
• High-net-worth individuals with multiple residential assets.

Many overseas owners may only visit their UK property occasionally, while correspondence is often sent to alternative addresses or managed through agents.

That can make unusual activity harder to detect until much later.

Why Overseas Owners Face Greater Exposure

For UK expats and international investors, owning property from abroad naturally creates additional practical challenges.

Routine tasks such as checking post, inspecting the property or responding quickly to legal enquiries become more difficult when living in another country.

Fraudsters understand this.

An empty property may attract little attention from neighbours. Mail may accumulate. Utility accounts may remain inactive. The genuine owner may not become aware of suspicious activity until contacted by a solicitor, lender or local authority.

Many overseas landlords also hold mortgage-free investment properties after years of ownership. While this often reflects successful long-term investing, it also removes one of the regular external checks that mortgage lenders naturally provide through ongoing account management.

Mortgage-Free Properties Can Be Attractive Targets

A mortgage-free property offers criminals a potentially valuable asset.

Without an existing lender registered against the title, fraudsters may perceive fewer obstacles when attempting to arrange borrowing or falsely transfer ownership.

That does not mean properties with mortgages are immune, but fully owned properties have historically featured more frequently within reported title fraud cases.

Owners often assume that clearing a mortgage eliminates financial risk.

In reality, it changes the nature of the risk rather than removing it entirely.

Protecting legal ownership remains just as important after a mortgage has been repaid.

The Role of Identity Verification

The conveyancing industry has significantly strengthened identity verification over recent years.

Solicitors, lenders and regulated professionals now undertake increasingly robust anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) checks designed to verify identity before transactions proceed.

Digital identity verification, biometric technology and enhanced due diligence have all reduced opportunities for fraud.

Nevertheless, sophisticated criminals continue to adapt their methods.

This is why many conveyancing solicitors recommend that property owners ensure HM Land Registry holds accurate contact details and consider using available property alert services that notify owners of certain activity affecting their registered title.

For overseas owners in particular, ensuring that legal advisers, managing agents and trusted representatives have up-to-date contact information can help prevent delays if questions arise.

Fraud Prevention Is Becoming Part Of Wealth Protection

High-net-worth individuals increasingly view property as one component of a broader wealth strategy alongside investments, pensions and business interests.

Protecting those assets now extends beyond insurance and physical security.

Cybersecurity, identity protection and legal ownership verification have become equally important considerations.

Professional advisers including solicitors, accountants, wealth managers and specialist finance brokers increasingly work together to ensure clients understand both financial opportunities and emerging risks.

For clients with complex ownership structures, overseas residency or multiple investment properties, maintaining accurate records and engaging experienced professionals throughout any refinancing or sale can significantly reduce potential exposure.

Specialist Advice Matters

While title fraud remains relatively uncommon, the financial implications when it does occur can be substantial.

Overseas owners should ensure any property transaction involves experienced solicitors, regulated mortgage professionals and appropriately verified identification processes throughout the purchase, refinance or sale.

For clients arranging finance from overseas, specialist lenders and brokers are accustomed to enhanced verification requirements and cross-border documentation, helping transactions proceed efficiently while maintaining robust fraud prevention standards.



As international ownership of UK property continues to grow, careful verification is becoming an increasingly important part of protecting valuable real estate assets.