Tulum Real Estate Scam Exposed: Buyer Reports Legal Battle

Jorge Luis Ocaña Jiménez, who purchased an apartment in a Tulum real estate development, has reported a case of fraud. After buying the property in pre-sale for $99,000, the company failed to deliver on the agreed date. They are now seeking legal protection to avoid paying the agreed compensation.

More than two years past the original deadline, Ocaña Jiménez has yet to receive his apartment. He is currently engaged in a legal battle with the company, which is offering to refund his money with a 20% reduction. Meanwhile, the property's current value has skyrocketed to $176,000.

According to the contract, the apartment was to be delivered on a specific date. If there were any delays, the company was to refund a percentage as compensation to the buyers. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, construction times were extended, which buyers accepted as an extraordinary circumstance. Despite this, the company continued to demand timely payments, which Ocaña Jiménez complied with. When he asked for compensation for the delay, the company refused to pay and avoided finalizing the apartment delivery.

The company has sought legal protection to avoid answering the buyers' demands, which has prolonged the case for over two years. Ocaña Jiménez reports that the court process in Playa del Carmen is still ongoing, but the defendant's legal maneuvers have delayed the resolution.

Ocaña Jiménez also reported that the company lacked the necessary permits to build and yet continued to market the apartments. He also suggested that the real estate company has ties with government officials, allowing them to evade sanctions and continue their projects without repercussions.

This case highlights irregularities in Tulum's real estate sector, where pre-sale developments are sold without complete permits, and buyers face delays, non-compliance, and legal hurdles to claim their properties.

Ocaña Jiménez is still awaiting a court resolution, while the real estate development continues to operate and sell units. He stated, "The problem is not only mine, there are many people in the same situation. What is most worrying is that the authorities do nothing to protect the buyers."