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Hi.
MRI did a hard-sell on us to purchase 2 properties in Bella Vista in Morocco in 2007. The properties were scheduled to complete in January 2010. MRI claimed that the Developer was reputable. They supplied the socilitors.
Over the last 1.5 years, they went silent on us. Last weekend (14th June), they invited us the Hilton Hotel at the NEC in Birmingham, ostensibly to inform us that the developer had "disappered" with our money, and we had lost £63, 000!
They were not at all sorry for misleading us into buying the property. Instead, the director (Darren Brown) tried to con us into buying more properties from MRI.
He claimed that MRI's chairman was sorry for our loss and and would give us properties from his personal portfolio at cost price, so that some of our losses could be re-couped.
In fact, the Chairman's properties he started pushing us into buying (the usual tactic of "its the last one so you will have to put a deposit on it today") were actually hugely over-priced.
So MRI dragged us 90 miles to use the losses they caused us to have, to con us into buying overpriced properties again!
Be warned. Don't trade with MRI. They are a bunch of nasties who would do anything to get your money.
If there are people who have lost money in Morocco with MRI (particularly in Bella Vista), please get in touch.
Please let me know of any support groups who have lost money with MRI.
Whatever you do, Don't let them get you.
I can't believe that people would prey on those who have already made losses.
This matter should be given the widest publicity possible. Watchdog perhaps?
Wish you the best,
Aftab
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
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Exactly the same thing happened with us but, stupidly, we put down 6000 euros on an apartment in Bulgaria and didn't realise until we got home that it was a mistake. We are now fighting for our money back!
I've just spoken on the phone with Nizar at TBRE Maroc (the current selling agent for Bella Vista) and he emphatically denies MRI's story of the developer 'disappearing' - indeed he is still in constant contact with the developer who has, allegedly, recently discharged MRI as selling agent for Bella Vista...
He is happy to reassure any purchaser [protected], info@tbremaroc.com)
AND the replacement for Alvaro de Juan Uriarte at the Moroccan office of Martinez-Echevarria is Loucsi Semllali [loucsi.semllali@martinezechevarria.com] who has kindly, but rather bizzarely, promised to get someone from MRI(!) to take photos to show that the developer is still working on the site!
The new name at M-E (actually he's been there all along) is Loutfi Semllali - I misheard!
As a matter of interest, I wonder how many people attended that meeting in Birmingham?
And how many of them were taken in and were buying more property from MRI?
And whether MRI were/are planning to hold more meetings around the UK?
We are in the same position we payed our deposit in 2007 is Nizara teling us we have lost our money or are the sales still proceeding without MRI. There must be a way we can prevent our monies from just disappearing. Together we can do something surely?
We have been invited to a meeting with MRI today - Hilton Glasgow
Hi June and Richard
I would be very interested to hear how your meeting went.
PEOPLE, PLEASE LISTEN - Whether you bought your apartment in Bella Vista (or any other development for that matter) through MRI or any other real estate agent, your purchase contract is with the developer. MRI never touch any of your monies at any stage in the proceedings (By the Way, I am not defending them) So if MRI or any other real estate agent tells you the developer has gone bust, firstly - CHECK!
You should have contact details for the developer. If not, all your purchase contracts will have been registered with the Notary in Tetouan, Mr Adil El Mandri +[protected] (Office) +[protected] (Mobile) and yes, he speaks perfect English.
He will have the contact details of the developer (who doesnt to my knowledge speak English).
The Moral of the story - before being SUCKERED into parting with more money DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH!
Fact - Bella Vista is still ongoing and is on schedule for April 2010. Maybe if you all spent less time worrying and scare mongering and winding each other up and actually researched the situation you'd all realise that you have very little to worry about!
Thank you for this TPMA, although you do come over as rather patronising...
Don't you think we have been researching? I am in contact with several other purchasers and we are all STILL researching.
We weren't given contact details for the developer - indeed our lawyer has only just provided a telephone number for them.
I have e-mailed the Notary several times without reply and have also tried to contact him by telephone. So has the lawyer (allegedly) with similar results.
I have also e-mailed the Moroccan Embassy in London (in French!) with no response either.
I did speak with someone on the number given by the lawyer ([protected] 704522) and she provided an e-mail address (jawhara1@menara.ma) and promised to send photos showing building work is in progress.
How do you know it is still ongoing? Are you local? If so, please take some photos and post them on this forum - so we can all stop worrying and scare-mongering and winding each other up...
Hi All
Maria from M-E has sent through photos of BV dated 10/10 - and although they are all of blocks which seem almost complete, several workmen can be seen!
Also, thanks to TPMA, I spoke directly with the Notary earlier today (on his mobile number) and he also confirmed that work is ongoing.
By the way TPMA - sorry to be so slow - but how come you (based in Spain) knew which Notary had been used and knew his MOBILE number? Thanks anyway - I've passed his number on to Maria...
ps. Sorry I can't attach photos - I've tried all different sizes - anyone wanting to see them, please send me a private message with your e-mail address.
Hi you all..
I have also bought an apartment at Bella Vista in Marocco. I am very shocked about the facts I am reading overe here. I have also received pictures of the development in Bella Vista from Maria (lawyer, martinez echevarria) and they look good on first sight. I also had a lot of contact with Loutfi Semlali about the construction and purchase. (he is also lawyer at martinez echevarria)
When I bought the apartment MRI told me that they would arrange and pay a visit (for the buyers) so they can take a look during the construction but I have never heared from them again?
I do not understand how you can lose the money because I thought that the deposit (of 30%) of the purchase is juridical embedded (Notary).
Regards
Hi Imane
The photos are reassuring aren't they?
Loutfi no longer works for M-E.
I don't think you will hear from MRI again (unless they want to try and persuade you to buy an alternative property!)
I think you are right about our deposits being safeguarded - there is a bank guarantee, but only until 01/01/10.
Regards
Hi All
I inform you that Mqrtinez echevarria is not longer working in morocco not lotfi semllali
lotfi semllali is working for his own
for getting in touch with hin and kick out Martinez Echevarria from the responsability of your files these is his email adress . lsemllali@gmail.com
Dont trust any foreigner that advise you on the intern law for an overearseas country you will always get the worst advise because those doesnt knew any ###ing clow about the MOROCCAN LAW
TAAA in Scotish
Hi 'mamamita'..
I would like to react on your message because I think your information is incorrect.
First of all, you assume that Martinez Echevarria is not longer active in Marocco for the Bella Vista project. Last week I contacted Maria Rubino, that has taken over the dossier for the Bella Vista project of her associate Loutfi Semllali. She did not told me anything about not longer working for Marocco. Second, you say that the information/advise of the lawyer is worse. I do not agree with that. They are merely a bridge between the buyer-seller and the notary. For the maroccan law is everything embedded in the purchase contract that is passed through the maroccan notary. If I am wrong please let me know...
A question to you all. Does someone have any plans for visiting Marocco to check the development in Bella Vista? Maria told me that I have to contact the developer for viewing the property.
Regards
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