Quintana Roo Cracks Down on Illegal Land Sales and Fraud

Quintana Roo, Mexico — In response to the accelerated and disorderly growth of cities in Quintana Roo, the Secretariat of Sustainable Territorial and Urban Development (Sedetus) announced that in 2026 it will reinforce surveillance and supervision actions to combat irregular settlements and real estate fraud, a problem that continues to affect the assets of hundreds of families in the state.

The head of the agency, José Alberto Alonso Ovando, reported that as a result of inspection operations carried out in recent years, 116 properties under development have been flagged for various irregularities, including invasions, lack of permits, unauthorized land use, and illegal land sales.

He explained that these actions are part of a preventive strategy, whose main objective is to prevent citizens from being deceived by supposed developers who offer land at low cost without legal certainty, a practice that leads to economic losses, social conflicts, and lengthy legal processes.

During 2025, Sedetus conducted 325 inspections in different municipalities of the state, mainly in areas where irregular land sales or illegal land occupation were detected. These reviews allowed the identification of areas without authorization for urban development, as well as settlements promoted through private contracts that lack legal validity.

Due to these irregularities, the agency has filed three criminal complaints with the corresponding authorities, in order to sanction those who profit from the need for housing and curb the expansion of illegal developments.

“Urban growth must occur with order, legality, and planning. We will not allow playing with the assets of families or the continued promotion of land sales that do not comply with regulations,” emphasized Alonso Ovando.

Finally, the official urged the population to verify the legal status of any property before making a purchase and to approach Sedetus for guidance on the legal status of real estate developments, land use, and corresponding permits, in order to avoid becoming victims of fraud.