Nagging feeling re buyer

[JaneJay]

Wondering if this could end up being some kind of scam?
My brother and sister and I are selling a small bungalow we inherited from our dad, and we had a very quick offer from a bloke who is a cash buyer.
The estate agent commented that when they asked for ID, the guy showed a TV License with his name and address (he’s some distance away in Wales) and a passport. The passport photo looked not much like the guy, but he claims that is because he has put on so much weight since.
Personally if it was a normal transaction between me and someone else, I would be asking for further ID e.g. a driving license (though I guess that the guy could claim he doesn’t drive).
Should we be concerned? I.e. is there any way that if this guy is not who he says he is, could we end up selling the house but not getting the money?
Our estate agent and solicitor is bona fide, but I guess the guy could be using one of the dicey solicitors out there and so confirmation of ID by them would not necessarily be any guarantee (think he is supposed to provide them with 2 utility bills plus photo ID, I know we had to with ours).
If he is not who he says he is, but definitely has the money and will pay it, I suppose we have nothing to worry about? Or could HMRC or someone get involved? Feeling a bit paranoid about it all.
Thanks.

The buyer’s solicitor has an obligation to verify their client’s identity so I don’t think you need to worry.

It sounds as though your estate agent has doubts too. I would either wait and see if he produces better ID or just tell him you aren't happy. And don't be bullied.

In your place I would have frank conversations with my EA and my solicitor and take their advice. I would hope that if you proceed in good faith and according to law, using due diligence, you cannot be held liable for anything down the line.

I also think that our concerns in these situations can stem from a lack of imagination on our own parts - or unconscious bias - at least as often as from a valid sense that something is off. Worth thinking about. And I don’t mean this personally; we are all full of these biases.

A quick cash offer …. Maybe he’s a chancer hoping he can demolish and develop the site. Not your original query, but I’d be suspicious

If he's dodgy enough to be trying to use fake ID then he's dodgy enough to have a pet solicitor.

If the EA is suspicious I would be worried too.

I wouldn’t be happy with this, no.

Thanks, yes - let's hope their solicitor is legit. I'll mention my concerns to our solicitor, who has a good reputation.
I guess I am wondering if e.g. the buyer has robbed a bank and is using false ID to buy the house, whether after handing over the cash someone could come along and legally ask for it back!

Bank robber 😂😂😂

Solicitors have all kinds of processes that ensure the funds are in their bank account before the sale is completed. They aren’t going to sign your house over without the money.

It happens! 😟Or more likely nowadays some crim who has made a few grand via some other scam!

Then the legal recourse would be to seize the house and sell it to recoup the money, not go after the previous owners of the house.

No, it’s not possible too many controls. They need to verify the source of the cash for money laundering purposes.

He gives the solicitor the money
Before the house is transferred to him. If the solicitor picks up, they are insured

Thanks - that does seem logical, i.e. rather than trying to snatch cash back from us

I'd like to think the Solicitor would compensate, but looking at the Terms and Conditions you have to sign, I would not be surprised if buried in there is something along the lines "if we mess up, no legal liability can be inferred" !