TL;DR: The commonest impersonation scam: someone claims to sell as the owner's representative via a forged power of attorney. Defense: verify the representative's authority directly with the registered owner, and use a properly consularized POA (notarised abroad + Ghana mission endorsement) for your own remote purchases.
How does the fake-POA scam work?
A 'nephew', 'caretaker' or 'family head' presents land with documents that look legitimate, collects your deposit, and vanishes - or the real owner surfaces later having never authorised the sale. Remote diaspora buyers who never meet the registered owner are the standard victims.
How do you check a representative's authority?
Speak to the registered owner yourself - video call with ID matched to the title. Confirm the POA's scope, dates and signatures with your lawyer. Cross-check at the Lands Commission that no competing representative claims exist. Never accept 'the owner is unreachable' as an answer.
How do you set up a REAL POA from abroad?
1. Draft with your Ghana lawyer - exact scope, named parties, monetary limits, duration. 2. Sign before a notary in your country. 3. Consularize at the Ghana High Commission/Embassy - Ghana is not in the Hague Apostille Convention, so apostille alone fails. 4. Your lawyer then signs, pays and registers in your name.
Key takeaways
- Their POA: verify with the owner directly or walk away.
- Your POA: narrow scope, capped amounts, fixed duration.
- Broad, open-ended POAs are the #2 abuse vector after multiple-sale.
Frequently asked questions
Can family members sell on my behalf safely?
Only under a scoped, consularized POA with independent lawyer oversight - 'trust me, I'm family' is how most diaspora losses begin.
How long does consularization take?
Days to weeks depending on the mission; start it before you agree prices, not after.
Can I revoke a POA?
Yes - in writing, notified to all parties and the Lands Commission. Revoke the moment its job is done.
Sources: MyJoyOnline buying guide 2026; Firmus Advisory land series.
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