Of course this sort of thing does go on all the time. My experience would suggest it is even common practice among some estate agents. However it is fraud. Whatever about an enquiry by the Revenue that I suspect will happen in time to come, anyone who becomes involved in this type of cash transaction will have the worry about what happens if the deal is not honoured or a problem arises. Do you think you will be heard in court or even have any kind of a case where the deal is predicated on a fraud? It is such a foolish move really in this day and age.