Do you still have the same property and same bank account you would have used when you bought, Dave? It would be more difficult to chase purchasers from 2004ish if they had moved on or moved/closed that bank account - so your consistency might have been the reason you have been targeted.
For the record from the other side of the desk, as agents we were often asked about paying the full amount based on purchase price rather than based on tapu value. Some we did, others - particularly where the client insisted on using a solicitor - they were strongly advised to pay the lesser amount. In fact, I recall buyers being told that if they insisted on declaring the actual purchase price, they would cause problems for the very people who were about to become their new neighbours.
Mind you, this was also in the days where well known local solicitors would arrive at our office with a Migros carrier bag stuffed full of £40,000 worth of lira.
