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I wouldn’t be quite so fast to rush to judgement. These appeals (there are in fact two - P & P Properties v Owen White is the other) raise fundamental questions about who should be responsible for imposter fraud where the fraudster cannot be found. Imposter fraud is becoming an increasing problem. Should the innocent purchaser just take this on the chin? Or should the professionals take responsibility? There are any number of professionals in the frame: seller solicitor; buyer solicitor; estate agent (P&P) or (not targetted yet) surveyor. My money is in fact on the seller’s solicitor. If I have to vouch for the identity of my client to my firm and my regularator then why not to the wider world?