Digital Security in Real Estate Transactions on Curaçao: What Every Buyer Should Know

Buying property in Curaçao is a major step — an investment in your future and often the fulfilment of a dream.
Because large sums of money are involved and most communication now happens digitally, vigilance is essential.
Real estate transactions are increasingly targeted by online fraudsters.
In this article, you’ll learn the key digital risks, the checks you must perform yourself, and how to ensure a safe transaction with your real estate agent and notary in Curaçao.

Digital Fraud in Real Estate – Real and on the Rise

Unfortunately, there have been cases where buyers were contacted by criminals impersonating a notary or real estate agent.
They used convincing emails, forged payment instructions, and deceptive sender addresses to trick buyers into wiring money to the wrong accounts.
These attempts are often highly sophisticated and can be difficult to distinguish from legitimate communication.

Two of the most common forms are phishing and spoofing:

• Phishing – you receive a fake email or SMS that appears to come from a trusted party, urging you to share personal data or make a payment. Always check the full sender address and domain.
• Spoofing – an existing email address or phone number is faked so the message looks as if it’s from your notary or agent when it’s actually sent by a scammer. Always verify content and payment details through a second channel — preferably by calling the notary’s main office.

Remember: as the buyer, you are ultimately responsible for the payments you make.
Double-checking and trusting your instincts is not a luxury, but a necessity.
When something feels off, it usually is.

Five Essential Tips for Property Buyers

1. Transfer funds only to the notary’s official business account

Check that the account holder’s name matches exactly with the name of the notary’s office.
If you see discrepancies (different name, different country, intermediary account), stop immediately and call the notary’s publicly listed phone number.

2. Never send money to a bank outside Curaçao

A notary based in Curaçao will normally hold a local Curaçaoan bank account.
If you’re asked to transfer money to Portugal, the United Kingdom, or any other country, it’s almost certainly fraud.
Exception: to our knowledge, only Fung Aloi and Samandar maintain an additional euro account in the Netherlands with Van Lanschot Bankiers.
Any other overseas payment requests should be verified directly with the notary.

(Interested in which banks operate on Curaçao? Read our guide to Curaçao banks.)

3. A notary never uses Gmail or Hotmail

Official correspondence will always come from the business domain of the notary’s office.
If you receive a message from @gmail.com, @hotmail.com or a slightly altered domain name — call the notary’s office to confirm.

4. Always verify payment instructions directly

Neither we nor any legitimate agent will send notarial bank details in advance.
You will receive them directly from the notary’s office.
When in doubt, call and ask the notary to verbally confirm the account number and instructions.

5. Submit documents securely via Conneqtid

If you are purchasing a property listed by us, you will be asked to upload your personal documentation through the secure compliance platform Conneqtid.
If another agency acts as the primary listing agent, they determine the verification procedure.
(Unsure why compliance matters? Read more about KYC and compliance in Curaçao real estate.)

Quick Digital Security Checklist

Before you transfer a single guilder, dollar or euro, verify the following:

• Does the email domain match the official website of your notary or agent?
• Do the account name and notary name match exactly?
• Is the bank account registered in Curaçao (unless a written exception applies)?
• Have you confirmed payment instructions by calling the notary’s main office?
• Are you uploading identification documents only via Conneqtid or another secure platform approved by the notary?
• Need to share a passport copy? Read here how to send ID copies safely.

Your Role as a Buyer – Stay Critical

At International Fine Living, we take digital security extremely seriously.
We work with trusted partners and secure systems, but no technology is 100% foolproof without your own awareness.
Take the time to review every detail carefully and call the notary if anything looks suspicious or illogical.
Better one check too many than one too few.

Frequently Asked Questions About Digital Security When Buying Property in Curaçao

Does the payment request always come directly from the notary?

Yes. Payment instructions for the deposit and final transfer are always issued directly by the notary’s office.
If you receive them from a broker or another channel, verify immediately with the notary.

Can payment instructions be sent via WhatsApp?

No. WhatsApp, text messages or screenshots should never be considered formal communication.
Always ask for confirmation by email from the notary’s official domain and verify by phone.

How can I spot a fake domain name?

Look for subtle differences: added letters, dashes, unusual top-level domains (.co instead of .com), or characters that look similar (rn instead of m).
Never click suspicious links — type the web address yourself.

Can a foreign bank account ever be legitimate?

Normally, no.
Exception: only Fung Aloi and Samandar have an additional euro account at Van Lanschot Bankiers in the Netherlands.
Always confirm by calling the notary’s office directly.

What should I do if I suspect phishing or spoofing?

Do not pay, do not click any links.
Take a screenshot, contact the notary immediately via their official phone number, and forward the email to your agent for verification.

Conclusion

Buying a house in Curaçao should be a safe, transparent and well-controlled process.
By staying alert, verifying every payment instruction, and communicating only through secure channels, you can drastically reduce the risk of digital fraud.

Have questions about the notarial process or about secure document handling?

Our team at International Fine Living Curaçao is happy to guide you — from first viewing to signing the deed with the notary.

Disclaimer and Copyright Notice

International Fine Living Curaçao makes every effort to inform buyers and sellers accurately about real estate processes on the island.
However, laws and practices may change. Always verify details with the relevant notary or financial institution.
No rights can be derived from this article.
All texts © International Fine Living Curaçao. Reproduction without written permission is prohibited.
You may, however, freely link to this article from your website or blog.

International Fine Living strives to keep buyers and sellers of real estate in Curaçao as well-informed as possible. However, our time and resources are limited, and we may not always be able to publish the most up-to-date information. We therefore strongly recommend that you always verify any information directly with the appropriate office or professional. No rights may be derived from the contents of this article.

To fellow real estate professionals in Curaçao: all texts on our website are protected by copyright. You may not copy texts or parts thereof. You are, however, welcome to link to this article.