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Scams usually happen because overseas buyers rely on trust instead of verification. You are sitting thousands of miles away, so you cannot afford to operate on good faith. The first and most important rule is to never transfer money to a property agent's personal bank account. This is the most common trap. Always make payments directly to the housing society's official bank account via Pay Order or online transfer. The receipt must come from the developer. If an agent insists you send them the cash so they can submit it for you, refuse immediately.
You also need to verify the project's legal status yourself. Do not trust a WhatsApp screenshot of an approval letter, as these are easily faked or might be expired. Go to the official websites of the regulatory authorities like CDA or RDA and check their list of approved societies. If a project is not on that list, do not touch it, regardless of how attractive the payment plan looks. Additionally, make sure you are dealing with an authorized sales partner listed on the society's official website, not just a random freelancer with a YouTube channel.
Finally, understand the difference between a file and a plot. A file is just a promise of future land, while a plot with a street number is a tangible asset. If you want maximum safety, buy a plot with possession. If you are buying a file, use the society's online portal to verify its status before money changes hands. If an agent gets annoyed that you are asking for these verifications, that is your clear signal to walk away. Honest agents will welcome the scrutiny.