Police called in to probe major housing scam

Housing Minister Irfaan Ali

… “big money” being paid for house lots

Police have been called in to investigate a major housing scam where persons have been collecting money to expedite delivery of house lots to citizens, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) said in a statement.

According to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), information was received that the various players in the scam could not deliver on their promise and moreover, various persons who have been defrauded, have since responded to the Ministry’s recent public notice.

The scam saw persons alleging that they are relatives and associates of Housing Ministry personnel, including Minister Irfaan Ali.

Some even operated as staff of the Ministry, taking people to various housing areas and identifying plots of land that are vacant.

The CH&PA said despite numerous warnings by the Ministry against entering into these transactions, persons continue to fall prey to this disease.

“The Ministry is adopting a no-nonsense approach in dealing with these fraudsters and impersonators. Nevertheless, the public has a responsibility of safeguarding themselves.”

The Ministry noted that some of the parties to this scam are recent applicants who are lured to the promise of expediting the processing of their land application.

“The Ministry is once again encouraging persons to come into us and report any instance, whereby any individual or group, would have collected monies from them in an effort to ‘expedite’ or ‘deliver’ any service provided by the Ministry.”

Last week, the Housing and Water Ministry had warned against the illegal sale of land. According to the Housing Ministry, several scams have been unearthed in recent days, positing that investigations are currently being conducted. It warned that persons who are involved in scams of this nature are equally culpable, since they have willingly participated in these illegal activities and must have known that the transactions could not have been authentic.

“We would like to urge the members of the public to report any case in which they would have paid or were requested to pay or enter into any transaction in relation to any business of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).”

Persons are being reminded that the Housing Authority is the only authorised agency responsible for the allocation and receipt of payments with respect to house lots purchased from the Authority, for which official receipts are issued.

“No one is authorised to collect money for house lots on behalf of the Central Housing and Planning Authority. All transactions related to house lots are conducted at the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s offices. No official business with the Authority is conducted in the field or at private premises,” the Ministry emphasised.

There, the transfer of any lot bought from the Housing Authority must be approved in keeping with the terms and conditions of the Agreement of Sale. Unauthorised or illegal transactions would not be recognised by the Housing Authority.