February 3, 2026
Deeds, drama, and plywood
221 Cannon Road Is Not for Sale
Internet tries to sell a family’s land, commenters lose it
TLDR: A scammer nearly sold a Connecticut lot by impersonating its owners online, until an attorney caught the fake ID. Commenters slam the U.S. system’s convenience-over-safety, debate title insurance, and joke about posting a giant “NOT FOR SALE” sign to warn realtors and Google Street View.
A Wilton, CT landowner says a scammer posed as him and his brother to sell their vacant lot at 221 Cannon Road — complete with fake emails, a phone call, a “Middle European” accent, and an e‑signed purchase agreement. The realtor even walked the land and got drone shots. It almost closed until a sharp local attorney demanded ID and spotted a bogus driver’s license. Cue the crowd: the strongest take is that American money stuff is way too easy — you can sell property without showing up, so scammers slide right in.
Then came the drama. One pedant zoomed in on the typos, quipping it should’ve read “without the b,” because even scams have spelling bees. Others pointed to chilling UK cases that took years to unwind (BBC), sprinkling dread over the thread. A practical chorus asked if title insurance would save the day, while a DIY hero proposed sinking 2x4s and a giant plywood “NOT FOR SALE” sign — bonus clout if it lands on Google Street View. The mood swings from outrage at convenience over safety, to gallows humor, to homeowner hacks. It’s part real‑estate thriller, part comment‑section roast, and 100% internet
Key Points
- •A scammer attempted multiple times to impersonate the property owner to sell a vacant parcel at 221 Cannon Road in Wilton, CT.
- •In March 2024, a realtor, contacted via Zillow, listed the property and received a full-price cash offer based on the impostor’s claims.
- •The impostor supplied detailed property information, fake emails and phone, and e-signed a purchase agreement to appear legitimate.
- •A Wilton attorney halted the transaction by independently verifying ownership and identifying a forged New York State driver’s license.
- •The attorney reports encountering a similar vacant land scheme previously and follows a policy to verify ownership before representing vacant land sellers.