Tulum’s Real Estate Fraud Crisis Exposed

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Behind the tourist splendor and real estate boom, Tulum is confronting a growing wave of real estate fraud that threatens its international reputation as an investment destination. Dozens of buyers, both national and foreign, claim to have been victimized by development companies that breach contracts, deliver unfinished properties, or disappear with the invested money.

One of the most representative cases is that of Jorge Luis Ocaña Jiménez, who during the pandemic purchased an apartment from the company Menesse for 120 thousand dollars, with a promised delivery within two years. However, the property was never delivered to him.

"They handed over the apartments unfinished and gave me nothing. Everything is paid for and documented, but they filed for an injunction, and the lawsuit hasn't moved forward since COVID," recounted the affected party.

Ocaña claims that after demanding a solution, the company labeled him a "problematic client," while his legal process remains stalled due to a lack of legal follow-up.

"The company continues building and selling while one continues waiting for justice," he lamented.

Complaints of this type are multiplying on social media, expatriate forums, and before judicial authorities, where local and foreign investors expose contracts with abusive clauses, deficient legal advice, and unfinished projects.

"Many foreigners are the most affected because they don't know Mexican law nor how to defend themselves," commented another buyer who requested anonymity.

The unchecked growth of the real estate supply, without effective regulation, has generated a saturation that exceeds the supervisory capacity of municipal authorities. Despite multiple complaints, the accused developers continue operating and promoting new projects without any sanction.

Experts warn that this situation puts the destination's credibility at risk. Tulum, which until just a few years ago was synonymous with luxury and sustainability, could lose its appeal as an investment zone if impunity and a lack of control over developments persist.

The case of Jorge Luis Ocaña represents just one of the many stories of frustration that reflect a void in consumer protection and weak action by the authorities.

Without forceful measures from the state and federal government, specialists warn, the narrative of an "investment paradise" could transform into a Tulum where luxury coexists with distrust and disillusionment.