1. Put the words into the right forms, if necessary, forming other parts of speech from them
The case of Developer v Purchasers concerned claims that a property developer had used misleading marketing when selling new apartments. The developer distributed brochures that described the size, layout and location of the flats. The purchasers argued that these descriptions were factual REPRESENT, and that they relied on them when deciding to sign the contracts.
The developer replied that the images and descriptions were provided for INDICATE purposes only. However, the court rejected this argument, stating that where marketing materials contain VERIFY information, buyers may reasonably rely on them despite general disclaimers.
Evidence showed that the apartments were smaller than advertised because balconies and shared spaces had been INCLUDE in the stated measurements. The court described this practice as MISLEAD and found that general exclusion clauses did not remove the developer’s responsibility.
The court noted that the developer was professionally ENGAGE in property sales and therefore had a duty to ensure accuracy. The purchasers’ reliance on the marketing materials was considered reasonable and FORESEE.
As a result, the court ordered a REDUCE in the purchase price and awarded compensation for the buyers’ financial LOSE. The decision is often used to show that marketing statements can affect contracts and that the LIMIT of disclaimers in property advertising are interpreted strictly.
Total Questions: 10
Incorrect Answers: 0
2.1. Reading: Real Estate Scams in Russia
Read the passage.
In recent years, Russia has witnessed a rise in real estate fraud involving elderly homeowners. A notable pattern, sometimes called the “granny scheme,” involves pensioners selling their apartments legally and then claiming they were deceived or psychologically pressured by scammers into transferring the proceeds to so-called “safe accounts.”
After losing the money, some sellers file lawsuits demanding that the original sale be declared invalid. Courts have occasionally ruled in favor of elderly claimants, returning the apartment to them while leaving buyers without both the property and their money. This practice has alarmed legal experts and reduced trust in the secondary housing market.
Scammers exploit the vulnerability of older citizens and sometimes coach them on how to present claims of emotional distress or incapacity. In some cases, medical or psychological certificates are used to strengthen these lawsuits, raising concerns about organized manipulation rather than genuine victimhood.
As a response, lawmakers have proposed stricter legal safeguards, including mandatory notarization, transaction insurance, and stronger protections for good-faith buyers. While some courts are beginning to shift toward defending buyers, uncertainty in the real-estate market remains high.
Comprehension Questions
1. What is the “granny scheme” mainly about?
2. Why do scammers target elderly homeowners?
3. What risk do good-faith buyers face?
4. What legal response has been proposed?
5. What best describes the current state of the market?
Total Questions: 10
Incorrect Answers: 0
2.2. Listen to the text from exercise 2.1 and repeat. Copy pronunciation and intonation, watch stress in words.
2.3 Fill in the gaps with the English equivalents of the Russian words used in the text above.
In recent years, Russia has witnessed a рост in мошенничество на рынке недвижимости involving пожилые homeowners.
A характерный шаблон , sometimes called the “granny scheme,” включает / подразумевает pensioners selling their apartments legally and then утверждающих / заявляющих they were обмануты or под психологическим давлением by scammers into перевод / передачу ring the выручки / поступлений to so-called “safe accounts.”
After losing the money, some sellers подают иск demanding that the original sale be признать недействительным . Courts have occasionally вынести решение в пользу elderly истцы s, returning the apartment to them while leaving buyers without both the недвижимость / объект and their money. This practice has alarmed legal experts and снижать доверие in the вторичный рынок жилья .
Scammers используют уязвимость of older citizens and sometimes инструктируют / натаскивают them on how to present claims of эмоциональное потрясение or недееспособности . In some cases, medical or psychological certificates are used to усиливать эти иски , вызывая опасения about organized manipulation rather than подлинной жертвенности / реальной виктимности .
As a response, lawmakers have proposed более строгие правовые гарантии , including обязательное нотариальное удостоверение , страхование сделки , and stronger protections for добросовестных покупателей . While some courts are beginning to shift toward defending buyers, неопределённость остается high.
Total Questions: 10
Incorrect Answers: 0
2.4. Fill in the missing prepositions
...a rise real estate fraud...
pressure the sellertransferring the proceeds so-called “safe accounts.”
...ruled in favor elderly claimants...
...coach them how to present claims...
...beginning to shift defending buyers...
Total Questions: 10
Incorrect Answers: 0
3. Dialogue Task: Reporting Real-Estate Fraud
Make up a dialogue between an elderly apartment seller and a prosecutor / investigator (or a police investigator / district attorney’s office).
Situation:
The elderly person claims that the apartment sale was fraudulent because they were under the influence of scammers and psychologically pressured.
The seller must explain:
- how they were deceived,
- why the sale should be declared invalid,
- how the proceeds were transferred to “safe accounts,”
- and why they consider themselves a victim.
The prosecutor must:
- verify the credibility of the claim,
- ask for evidence,
- assess possible emotional distress or incapacity,
- determine whether this is genuine victimhood or organized manipulation.
Required Vocabulary
Use at least 7–10 of the following:
- rise in fraud — рост мошенничества
- real estate fraud — мошенничество с недвижимостью
- elderly claimant — пожилой истец / заявитель
- deceive — обмануть
- psychologically pressured — под психологическим давлением
- transfer proceeds — перевести вырученные средства
- file a lawsuit — подать иск
- declare the sale invalid — признать сделку недействительной
- rule in favor of — вынести решение в пользу
- exploit vulnerability — использовать уязвимость
- emotional distress — эмоциональное потрясение
- incapacity — недееспособность
- strengthen a lawsuit — усилить иск
- raise concerns — вызывать опасения
- stricter legal safeguards — более строгие правовые гарантии
- good-faith buyer — добросовестный покупатель
- uncertainty in the market — неопределённость на рынке
Show/hide template phrases
Learn the active words in the flashcards
Real_Estate_Fraud_B2
Scam-Risk Due Diligence Pack: Documents to Inspect (Property + Seller)
Goal: reduce the risk that a seller (especially an elderly owner) is acting under scam influence and later challenges the deal.
Matching DnD (Headings)
Drag the headings into the correct sections of the checklist.
Documents that confirm legal ownership, encumbrances, and the transaction history of the apartment.
- EGRN (Rosreestr) extract (owner, encumbrances, arrests, mortgage, restrictions)
- Title document (sale contract / inheritance certificate / privatization / gift deed, etc.)
- Ownership history (chain of transfers; watch for rapid re-sales)
- Cadastral extract / cadastral number confirmation
- BTI technical passport + floor plan (where applicable)
- Certificate / proof of absence of encumbrances (if separate from EGRN)
- Court registry check (pending / past disputes over the apartment)
Documents that verify who the seller is and whether they have authority to sell (and who else must consent).
- Passport (original) (validity + identity consistency)
- SNILS / INN (optional identity cross-check)
- Notarized statement of intent (seller confirms the decision is voluntary)
- Power of attorney (if used) — verify notary details, date, scope, revocation risk
- Spouse consent (if property is marital / acquired during marriage)
- Guardianship / trusteeship approvals (if legally required)
Certificates and evidence that help show the seller is competent, oriented, and not being manipulated (high relevance for elderly sellers).
- Medical certificate confirming capacity (seller understands consequences)
- Psychiatric clinic certificate (not registered) — where available/appropriate
- Narcological clinic certificate (not registered) — where available/appropriate
- Doctor’s written note (plain-language confirmation: orientation, comprehension, free will)
- Notary’s notes / confirmation of calm, adequate behavior at signing
- Video-recorded informed consent (optional but strong supporting evidence)
Documents that control where money goes and reduce “safe account” scam risk.
- Proof the receiving account belongs to the seller (bank statement / bank letter with account holder name)
- Payment terms document (schedule, currency, method; links payment to seller’s account only)
- Evidence that payment goes only to the seller (no third-party beneficiaries)
What Document Should It Be? (Payment Must Go Only to the Seller)
Below are the most appropriate document types to prove and enforce that the money is paid only to the seller (and to reduce “safe account” scam risk).
A) Bank-Level Document (Strongest Independent Proof)
- Bank Account Ownership & Payment Destination Confirmation
Issued by the seller’s bank; confirms the account belongs to the seller and is the only permitted destination for the buyer’s transfer.
B) Notarized Seller Declaration (Highly Recommended)
- Notarized Declaration of Voluntary Sale and Sole Receipt of Funds
Seller confirms voluntary intent, absence of pressure, and that funds will be received only into their personal account; includes acknowledgement of scam tactics (optional).
C) Clause in the Sale Contract (Essential)
- Payment Destination Clause
Contract specifies payment only to the seller’s named personal account; prohibits third-party transfers; records seller’s confirmations.
D) Escrow / Notarial Deposit (Very Strong Practical Protection)
- Escrow Agreement (bank) or Notarial Deposit Agreement
Funds are held and released only after ownership transfer is registered; reduces the chance of immediate scam-driven redirection.
E) Evidence Add-ons (Support in Case of Future Lawsuit)
- Video-recorded informed consent statement (seller confirms they understand the deal and payment path)
- Fraud Risk Awareness Acknowledgment (seller confirms they understand “safe accounts” scams and will not follow third-party instructions)
- Notary’s brief interview notes (seller appears oriented, calm, and acting independently)
Best single choice: Notarized Declaration of Voluntary Sale and Sole Receipt of Funds (plus a matching Payment Destination Clause in the sale contract).
- Bank Account Ownership & Payment Destination Confirmation
- Bank compliance / anti-fraud notes (if the bank provides them)
- Seller’s written confirmation that they will not redirect funds to unknown accounts
Checks to identify who is legally registered in the apartment and whether any occupants’ rights may block or challenge the deal.
- Registration (house register) extract: who is registered in the apartment
- Certificate confirming no minors are registered (or legal proof of their removal)
- Confirmation of no lifelong occupancy rights (where relevant)
- Checks for absent residents (military service / prison / long-term hospitalization, where applicable)
Certificates confirming there are no outstanding payments or liabilities tied to the apartment.
- Utilities no-debt certificate
- Property tax payment confirmation
- HOA / management company clearance letter (if used in your region/building)
Checks for litigation patterns, enforcement cases, or legal events that increase the chance of future disputes.
- Search in court databases for prior litigation by the seller (pattern check)
- FSSP (bailiff service) check for enforcement proceedings
- Bankruptcy / insolvency checks (where relevant)
Total Questions: 0
Incorrect Answers: 0
Study the Following Grammar Pattern for Legal / Formal Recommendations:
Pattern: It is necessary / highly important / recommended / mandatory / advisable + that + (the buyer / the seller / the notary / etc.) + (should) + V1
- It is necessary that the buyer (should) verify the seller’s identity using original documents.
- It is highly important that the notary (should) interview the seller to confirm free will and comprehension.
- It is recommended that the buyer (should) use escrow so the funds are released only after registration.
- It is mandatory that the seller (should) receive the purchase price only into a personal bank account stated in the contract.
- It is advisable that the bank (should) apply enhanced anti-fraud screening for high-risk elderly-seller transactions.
Note: In formal English, should is often optional after “that” in this structure (especially in BrE). Both versions are acceptable.
Translation Exercise: Russian → English (Mandative Subjunctive Pattern)
Task: Translate the following sentences into English using the pattern:
It is necessary / highly important / recommended / mandatory / advisable + that + subject + (should) + V1
- Необходимо, чтобы покупатель проверил личность продавца перед переводом денег.
- Крайне важно, чтобы продавец подтвердил, что на него никто не оказывает давления.
- Рекомендуется, чтобы нотариус зафиксировал видеозаявление о добровольном согласии продавца.
- Обязательно, чтобы банк перевёл деньги только на личный счёт продавца.
- Желательно, чтобы стороны сохранили все документы по сделке.
- Важно, чтобы покупатель использовал эскроу для защиты платежа.
- Необходимо, чтобы продавец получил оплату только на свой банковский счёт.
- Рекомендуется, чтобы нотариус удостоверился в дееспособности продавца.
- Обязательно, чтобы покупатель проверил отсутствие обременений на объект недвижимости.
- Крайне важно, чтобы банк применил усиленные меры против мошенничества в сделках с пожилыми продавцами.
Note: This is an informational checklist and does not replace jurisdiction-specific legal advice.
Translate into English
- Продавец должен предоставить выписку из ЕГРН, чтобы я мог(ла) проверить документы, подтверждающие право собственности.
- Продавец должен предоставить правоустанавливающий документ, чтобы я мог(ла) проверить историю перехода права собственности.
- Продавец должен предоставить кадастровую выписку, чтобы я мог(ла) сопоставить кадастровый номер с другими документами.
- Продавец должен предоставить технический паспорт БТИ и поэтажный план, чтобы подтвердить площадь квартиры и расположение несущих стен.
- Продавец должен предоставить копию удостоверения личности, чтобы я мог(ла) проверить его личность до перевода денежных средств.
- Если объект был приобретён в браке, продавец должен предоставить нотариальное согласие супруга(и), чтобы избежать проблем в будущем.
- Продавец должен предоставить соответствующие медицинские, наркологические и психиатрические справки как дополнительную гарантию безопасности сделки и добросовестности продавца.
- Продавец должен предоставить выписку о зарегистрированных лицах и сведения о временно отсутствующих, чтобы исключить возможные претензии в будущем.
- Продавец должен предоставить справку об отсутствии задолженности по коммунальным услугам и подтверждение уплаты налога на имущество, чтобы я не унаследовал(а) чужие долги.
- Продавец должен предоставить подтверждение проверок на наличие судебных споров, исполнительных производств и иных юридических рисков, способных привести к будущим конфликтам.
Rephrase the sentences above as if you demanded this in your name.
Use:
- I insist that you (should) V1=Я настаиваю на том, чтобы вы (сделали что-то)
- I demand that you (should) V1=Я требую, чтобы вы (сделали что-то)
- It is important / necessary/crucial / critically important that smb (should) V1
- I wish you would V1 =Сделайте то-то наконец!
- It is time you +Past Simple =Пришло время, чтобы вы (сделали что-то)
-Could you please V1? =Не могли бы вы (сделать что-то)?
-If you V2? =Could you please V1? =Не могли бы вы (сделать что-то)?