Its quite simple all you have to do is check to see if the agency are a member of a recognised organisation who will have already checked them out.

These organisations are the likes of AIPP or FODAC Federation of Overseas Property Developers Agents and Consultants.

Secondly I would if I was you check with companies house to see how long the agency has been trading.

These basic checks could be the making or breaking of thousands or hundreds of thousands of pounds.

More ideas on how we can safeguard our investments from hungry agents are most welcome.

Invest only when you are content with the correct info.

Contact the Moroccan tourist office they will give you names of agencies they trust. Some agecies hide behind a website and dont even have a address I would not buy off any agency that has not even given the address.

Best to steer clear of any foreign agents and use a home-based UK agent. Its much easier to pursue any claim for a breach of the pre-contract agreement or misrepresentation and recovery of any such deposit monies if the company you have signed an agreement with is a UK company - even though such an agreement may be subject to applicable English law.

Yes I can agree with some of your points but not all.

If you buy in lets say Morocco at least the agent will understand the country and not get all his info from a book or website.

But from a legal point of view I can see what you mean.

Some resorts in Morocco are safer to buy in then others I understand, I would make checks first and ask for the paperwork.