Doubtful a scam if she's received two letters in relation to two properties in two different countries. It could be that it's only surfaced now because they've only recently found where she is.
Handing keys in and walking away only works if the creditor can sell the property to cover the outstanding debt and any additional losses, if not then they can, and will, come after debtors and the debt will have grown due to interest and additional costs and fees.
2008 was a long time ago so by now the the accrued total could be far greater than the original debt(s).
If she can't pay it sounds like she may be in big trouble and ultimately possibly facing a bankruptcy petition.
Bankruptcy is a long way off and highly unlikely!
Debts have time limits on them and are statute barred after a certain time.
Also debts cannot necessarily be chased from one country to another.
The OP must ensure that their mother does not acknowledge the debt or even correspond with a debt collector.
They have far less powers than people realise and they generally bully people into paying old debts that are actually unenforceable by using scare tactics, pressure and weasel words in their letters (might, could, may lead to court, bankruptcy, credit file etc. etc)
Most debt advisors suggest ignoring letters from these bottom feeders - until you receive a bona fide court claim (which is very unlikely on unenforceable debts).
In most cases, these debt collectors are also not able to actually take people to court - only the original creditor.
Cheers
Steve
