Leong Wai Hong JC:

Introduction

[1] This is another land fraud case.

[2] The typical modus operandi from the Latin modus operandi (literally "manner or method of working") of the fraudsters involves the following components

a) A vacant land. This is because if the land or house is occupied it will be difficult for the fraudster to pretend to be the owner as the buyer will view the property prior to purchase.

b) A computerised issue document of title ["IDT"] obtained from the land office either through a false statutory declaration that the existing IDT is lost or stolen, or obtained through an insider working at the land office.

c) A sale price that is below the market value taking advantage of human greed.

d) A fraudster seller who insists on receiving the deposit and/or balance sale price in cash.

e) A fraudster seller who requests the deposit and/or balance sale price to be paid to a third party and not to him.

f) A fraudster seller who uses a fake NRIC with the real owner's name an