As far as the fraudenlent ones?? Well, it started 5 years ago with Keifer Robins...and I don't remember the name of his so-called developments. We ended up finding out that they didn't even own land. He has since died, or so they say, yet his "group" of buddies are still in the north of Brazil, around Piaui, selling properties, Lee Courteny Rowlands and a guy named Peter Roebuck.

Then there was Viva Vida...in which 33 english purchased at over 3 years ago and to this day don't have their deeds...they're being extorted for more money. Not to mention they were charged anywhere from 50% to 150% more than the brazilians and this price difference when confronted has been contributed to a 7,000 reais furniture package from Casa Bahia yet the differences in sales prices were anywhere from 50,000 reais to 120,000 reais.

And now there is another in Aracaju, where Joaquim Soares (who was involved with Keifer and Viva Vida) is involved with the builder of Viva Vida, Marcos Mattos. Once again, don't know the name of the development because I simply haven't paid any attention, but can get it for you with no problem first thing in the morning, and am currently helping english investors that invested large sums of money in this latest one. Their homes were supposed to be ready 6 months ago and it appears as if they won't be ready for another 12-18 months yet they paid in full years ago, and in some cases some of the people invested a million reais plus!

__________________
www.mjrdevelopments.com/ www.rosegardenbrazil.com

Yes I did mean the fraudulent developments. Are these all in Aracaju?

__________________
Brazil Property | Pipa Brazil | Property Investment in Brazil

They were/are. But, don't think it's only Aracaju because it's not. Believe me, the people that perpetrated these scams have moved...primarily up north, to Piaui, Natal, and Fortaleza. And I'm aware of these types of stories all throughout Brazil.


And why does that not surprise me that you would rather have your account suspended than to speak to the admin. of this site concerning your conduct and "account problems". Telling indeed.

__________________
www.mjrdevelopments.com/ www.rosegardenbrazil.com

Let me add, since you made this statement last week Rob it made me think about Aracaju and all that has transpired here over the last 4-5 years. And unfortunately, for foreigners that have invested, tried to invest, or were interested in investing, it has not been a good experience for them. But then again, I've met VERY few gringos here in Brazil in my 12+ years of travelling
and living here that purchased properties that actually paid a "brazilian price" and didn't receive the "gringo gouge" as I like to call it, whether that was done by Brazilians or those from other countries.

But today, here in Aracaju, I would have to say it would have to be one of the safest places for a foreigner to invest in Brazil, at least in the northeast. And exactly because of what has transpired here over the last 4-5 years. Thank goodness we (myself and many others) have been able to help numerous foreign investors who either got completely scammed, or the final product they received was not "as advertised", to sue those responsible and/or go to the police, both local and federal. We have now amassed a "team" here consisting of prosecuting attorney's for the state of Sergipe, a team of local police that have investigated/are investigating past situations and federal police.

The "grifters" that I'm familiar with that were here in Aracaju no longer do business here...they've moved. To the more "popular" places in the northeast, where no one's heard of them. To places like Natal, Piaui, and Fortaleza. I only hope that whoever is involved in selling properties in those places have the fortitude and the "conhescimento" to organize a team of professionals as well as police that will go after these con-artists there. Aracaju is not a welcome place for a grifter any longer, and they know it.

__________________
www.mjrdevelopments.com/ www.rosegardenbrazil.com

Just to re. Beenthere being banned/moving on - I never had a problem with him either personally - although he did get a bit wild sometimes, other times he did catch people out as Robh said.

As for his anonimity - on a forum everyone is anonymous always.

-Hypothetical situation incoming-
For all we know, RalphJ - you could be a disgruntled employee of Kiefer (or Kiefer himself) who is setting up his own scam, and the people who came on to vote on your behalf could just be you using a different name. The phone number could be a pay-per-call phone you picked up to answer as "patricia" or whatever the name was.
-Hypothetical situation ended-

For all you know, I could be Kiefer.
-Hypothetical situation really ended-

Or we could both be reputable agents who take pride in their work and do their best to make sure the clients who are investing are doing so armed with as much knowledge as we are able to give them.

Just because we have names on the forums doesn't mean that it's our real name. - Point being the only way to judge someone on the forums is by the information they give (which can be verified - not like saying you spent NYE in a favela) and by their attitude.

In my opinion, Beenthere did nothing worse/better when arguing with you than GW and I did during our little childish spat a few weeks ago. And the fact that you also resorted to calling names basically indicates to me that the four of us should go with a NYE resolution of behaving better on the forums?

__________________
Yes, I work for a Real Estate company doing market research and analysis but I'm not involved in sales.

Have a nice day

Well JM I must disagree with you. BT claimed I had false information on my site. Now, if he wants to make that claim he better be prepared to provide some proof, as I provided a means for him, or anyone, to verify. And as far as me being someone that has worked with keifer or the like.....I have not only had one person that I've helped here in Brazil that came to this site and made a post, but I can give dozens upon dozens of references, both english investors as well as prosecuting attorneys, local police, and even federal police, matter of fact I was at the federal police station here in Aracaju yesterday. Don't know how much more I could do besides that.

BT chose not to even respond to an email or private message from the admin. of this site....as I said, very telling.

__________________
www.mjrdevelopments.com/ www.rosegardenbrazil.com

My point is just that none of us are truly "non anonymous" unless we actually know each other.

I've met 3-4 people from these forums in person and have spoken on the phone to 2-3 others. So I think I'm about as safe as we can get with regards to being who I say I am. However, I could just as easily have another account which I use from home for whatever purposes.

So the fact that he didn't have his name there was irrelevant in comparison to quality of posts, or lack thereof.

Anywho, Merry Christmas all and get back on track with "Must" and "Must Nots" when buying in Brazil.

__________________
Yes, I work for a Real Estate company doing market research and analysis but I'm not involved in sales.

Have a nice day

point taken JM...but many of us here do use our real names, and more than that, have websites and give information such as company name, contact information, location, etc. In other words, we give people a means to "check up" on who we are and what we do. Much moreso than someone that has the nickname "sunshine" that doesn't even list a valid email address or respond to attempts of communication from the very people that run this site.


Merry x-mas to you as well!

__________________
www.mjrdevelopments.com/ www.rosegardenbrazil.com

I agree with Ralph - there are many on this forum who do not seek anonymity, including you, John. I have met many people off this site and all have been good company. I cannot see the point of using the type of name one might use in a chat room or such on this type of forum. I have a profile here and web site info easily available. With BT we were being attacked without knowledge about the person, with spurious allegations of wrongdoings etc. as if we had some illicit agenda in even being on the forum!

I go away for a month to Brazil and all you Agents then set about eachother! Poor old Master Baiter (BT) gets the sack and your cannibal instincts re-surface...what's the matter with you lot?