Real estate broker collapsed with the money of dozens of clients: the police clarifies the situation, at least 160 thousand disappeared. euros

Almost 300 thousand. Edgar, who had found an apartment that cost a billion euros in ads last fall, did not hesitate for a long time and decided that he would like to live with his family. The house was sold through the well-known real estate broker Kęstutis Juozėnas.

“We transferred the reservation fee to the brokerage company. We agreed that we would receive a mortgage in just a few months. In the process, we received pressure from the broker to pay more money. We transferred the entire remaining part, the full amount of the initial contribution, 30 thousand euros. We have received a letter of guarantee from the bank that we can now conclude the contract. There was really nothing less than going to the notary. ” Delphi Edgar said.

Unexpected call

But the day he had already signed an apartment purchase contract, the man received a call from an unknown number.

“The person is calling, saying that he is also buying that apartment, and has also paid the initial contribution,” the interlocutor recalled the events of May 7.

Upon realizing what happened, the two buyers who paid for the apartment met with the seller on the same day. He also claimed to have no knowledge of the runner’s behavior. The three began looking for K. Juozėnas to find out the situation and at least recover the money paid.

“The whole situation is worth the movie,” Edgar recalled. – The runner took us by the nose for about two hours.

Initially, K. Juozėnas said he was in Lazdynai and that they drove there.

“It just came to our notice then. Supposedly he has charged on the car,” Edgar recalled.

The trio scoured police stations looking for a car and a racer, but to no avail. Realizing that he had been misled, Edgar made a statement the next day to the officers, but he still lives in ignorance.

He said that now he just wants to get his money back from Capital and let the company deal with a potentially rogue broker on its own.

“It can happen to anyone,” he said. Delphi considered the interlocutor. “How many more people can there be?”

At least 20 similar stories

Capital Director Dmitry Semionov said that 20 people have already approached them about the situation and that the amount of money lost can reach 160 thousand. euros. The company does not rule out that there may be more victims and encourages them to apply.

According to him, neither Capital representatives nor clients who have concluded transactions can contact K. Juozėnas at this time. Couldn’t do that too Delphi – your phone is off.

People who have transferred the reservation fees to MB Kereros Investicijos, which belongs to K. Juozėnas, cannot get them back and the transactions were not made on time.

“We have data that KJ has charged reservation fees for the same property (apartment) from several people, or has charged reservation fees for an apartment that is not for sale. Kęstutis entered into retention of title agreements with the buyer, who transferred the advances to his company’s account. Although, according to practice, the advances that buyers make should be transferred to the seller’s accounts, not to the intermediary, ”commented D. Semionov.

According to him, it is currently suspected that the broker may have acted in a systematic and fraudulent manner, so Capital is preparing to file an application with the Prosecutor’s Office for fraudulent seizure of high-value foreign property. Responsibility for this is provided for in article 182 of the Penal Code.

Mr. Semionov confirmed that some people had already complained to officials and that the police were clarifying the circumstances. The representative of the Vilnius County Police, Julia Samorokovskaja, did not comment on the situation, which led to the protection of personal data.

When asked about Capital’s liability in this situation, Semionov explained that the company operates on a franchise basis.

“All Capital offices have entered into franchise agreements with us and have been able to use our existing brand and technical knowledge. We are partners, UAB Capital Realty does not have the right to regulate the activities of any franchisee, only to advise them, he said. – The company with which the client has entered into a contract is also responsible. However, we take this situation with great responsibility and provide our clients with all necessary legal assistance, and we have a legal services contract with a lawyer who will protect the interests of all victims ”.

Formed the image of a reliable broker

Now recalling the whole story, Edgar says that there was more than one sign that suspicion should have caused him, for example, the broker concealed the actual seller of the apartment and said that all matters should be handled only through him. However, according to the interlocutor, K. Juozėnas communicated very convincingly.

He may have spoken, but he spoke with great conviction. It teaches you everything as if it were the truth of life, ”he recalled conversations with K. Juozėnas.

The interlocutor hinted after asking the apartment seller why he had chosen this particular broker.

“He said that at first he wanted to sell the apartment himself, but when he placed the ad, the agents called him non-stop, the man couldn’t work. Then K. Juozėnas called, he says, come on, we will talk about the price in 3 minutes, that, that, is not adequate, I turn around and leave. When I came, I offered not to sell that apartment for a few months, another 3,000. payment in euros. Well, when you make a contract like that, how can you not sign it? Edgar said.

K. Juozėnas also creates a trustworthy image in Internet advertisements, announces that it has concluded 121 successful transactions in 5 years.

“It is difficult to find a bedroom area where the maximum selling price per square meter is not mine,” writes K. Juozėnas about himself.

He boasts that most customers find buyers within three weeks. “I don’t think the sales broker is just a manager. It doesn’t make much sense to sell or buy at the market price, and it is absurd for a broker to pay for such a transaction, ”says K. Juozėnas.

Capital did not skimp on the broker’s praise in public, and in mid-March his congratulations were released on his Facebook after K. Juoz joinednas joined the Silver Club, where he is happy to have such an example on the team. This post has already been removed.

Head of Capital now Delphi said that this broker had not caused any problems in the past, several customer complaints have been received, but Kęstutis himself reacted quickly and resolved the situations.

“The most important thing for me is my client’s account balance at the end of the process,” wrote K. Juozėnas about himself.