A "title raider" is an individual or group that seeks to obtain ownership of land which may appear to be dormant, overlooked, or by making false promises to individuals for their title(s) in exchange for certain rewards or benefits. Their objective is typically to gain control of strategically important land and then leverage that ownership against those who rely upon it, such as neighbouring landowners, businesses, utilities, or telecoms operators.
Title raiding has been reported across Scotland and generally involves attempts to assert ownership over land through questionable title claims, forged documentation, or disputes regarding historic ownership. Such activity can create significant uncertainty for those relying upon access rights or service routes that cross the affected land.
There have been several reported cases involving individuals claiming ownership of land based on questionable documentation. In some instances, investigations raised concerns that legal deeds had been falsified or signed in the names of people who had already died.
Other cases have involved attempts to claim long-forgotten or dormant land. These disputes highlight the risks associated with historic title records and demonstrate how fraudulent ownership claims can affect both landowners and those who rely on access rights over the land.
