villa purchase - got scammed | ExpatWoman.com
 

villa purchase - got scammed

1
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 July 2018 - 13:11

First of all I am new in Dubai and I was searching for a villa here. Some time later I found something I was interested in. I've decided for a villa and many promises were made for it from the seller of the developer. The seller gave me a good price, a payment plan which suits my needs, included landscaping, 1 year free service charge and other changes regarding the inside of the villa.

I was asking the seller for an confirmation in writing mentioned with all the promises that was made. He told me I will get it only after paying the reservation of 20% from the purchase price. He pushed me everytime to pay first. Unfortunately I believed him and payed the 20% + 4% DLD to the developer. After asking several times for the confirmation in writing I still got nothing. We wrote at WhatsApp and I still have the voice memo's and history were we talked about everything. I have memo of his voice promising me several times that everything will be realized and that I will get my confirmation in writing very soon like it was promised in the first place.

I had to fly back to my home country due to work-related reasons that's why I wanted to take the reservation form with me to read and sign it at home, but I got interrupted by the seller. The seller insisted me to sign the form as soon as possible and came to my hotel lobby with the reservation form at 10pm. I took an exhausted look at the reservation form and noticed some faults like a wrong payment plan, landscape and 1 year free service charge weren't mentioned either.

He told me that this is just an temporary booking form it's only about the reservation, just so that I won't loose the villa to someone else who is interested. He concluded by saying that all the changes that were promised will be written on the purchase contract. Nevertheless, I've made an copy of the booking form from the printer of the hotel. I've asked the seller several times if there is any hitch in the contract, he made an oath in God's name that my wishes regarding the villa will get done and that every thing has it's validity. The next day when I was in my home country I took a closer look at the booking form. I ascertained that everything was wrong at the form: wrong price, wrong payment plan, and all my wished changes were not mentioned.

In addition the reservation price wasn't 20% like he told me. It was written at the reservation form that I had to pay 10% of the purchase price. Of course I complained immediately. After around 1 week I got a call by the seller. He told me that he couldn't change the price since it was already the best, that he can't include the 1 year free service charge and he said he could not change the payment plan as arranged before. He told me he could only realize some few changes regarding the villa but not every thing that was agreed before. I am really disappointed and I claimed my money back. The only statement I got was that I can't get my money back, because it's not refundable through the booking form.

I feel really messed around and I'd have never thought that this could happen to me here in a city like Dubai, especially by an big developer with a huge project like this. I feel desperate since it's a huge amount that I've payed. What can I do? I have as evidence all the WhatsApp memo's and the history between me and the seller. I would appreciate a helpful response or a very good lawyer recommandation.

13
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 July 2018 - 14:52
I'm very sorry to hear what you have gone through. Unfortunately, this scamming still occurs in Dubai as strict as the city is. I would first recommend speaking to the Dubai Land Department and the RERA department as they can guide you on the next steps. It might be worthwhile to go in person after the phone call as information sometimes is not one in the same between the two. You may need to also speak to the Police, though they may recommend the Dubai Land Department first. As for lawyers, our company has utilised Afridi and Angell in Executive Towers for other matters; however do give them a call as I am sure they have a department for Dubai Properties. Best wishes!
 
 

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