Cancún Real Estate Scam: Fake Plot Sales Exposed

Cancún, Mexico — The Benito Juárez municipal government has shut down six real estate developments and filed seven complaints with the State Attorney General's Office (FGE) as part of its ongoing efforts to combat real estate fraud. The municipal president, Ana Paty Peralta, reported that one project was detected marketing sales for a plot of land that does not physically exist.

Details of the Fraudulent Activity

Mayor Peralta stated that one of the most serious cases involves a supposed development offering lots that are nonexistent, a situation that prevents authorities from carrying out a physical closure of the site. However, an investigation is already underway to prevent buyers from becoming victims of fraud.

"Sales are conducted through Facebook and other social networks, by agents and promoters who advertise land without basic services, promising streets, drainage, potable water, and roadways in areas far from the city," explained the mayor.

In addition to the six clausured developments and the one under investigation for a nonexistent plot, the municipal government has one more development in the process of being shut down and two others that have been secured.

Coordinated Efforts Against Irregular Settlements

The mayor assured the public that her administration is working in coordination with the State Government and the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) to halt these practices and provide legal certainty to citizens.

Simultaneously, she noted that progress is being made on the regularization of neighborhoods that have been in a state of legal uncertainty for more than 20 or 30 years. However, she warned that this does not mean the creation of new irregular settlements will be permitted.

Recommendation to Prospective Buyers

Peralta urged citizens to verify the legal status of any land before purchasing it. To do this, she recommended visiting the Directorate of Urban Development to confirm that plots have legal certainty and valid permits, thus avoiding becoming victims of scams.

"We are constantly reviewing with drones and also through citizen reports. It is essential that you send us your reports to eradicate this problem from the root, a problem that was allowed for many years," she concluded.