03 10 2007 Skopje_ Macedonian police Tuesday filed criminal charges for fraud against a construction company executive, who allegedly deceived his clients by selling them flats already bought by others.
According to the police statement, Georgi Soptrajanov, the executive of GIA engineering, made a substantial profit from selling 17 flats that his company built in capital Skopje, to more than 50 buyers.
Soptrajanov’s arrest on Monday triggered panic among those who believed they may have been deceived.
Local media report that some of them have used force to move into the unfinished apartments to protect their investment - in spite the fact that the properties are not yet connected to the water and electricity supplies.
The latest case recalls a scandal from September 2006 when the company Fikom, conned several hundred people through multiple sales of some properties.
The affair ended up with 10-year jail terms for Fikom’s owners.
The scandal then significantly increased the prices of old apartments, as they were considered more secure for would-be buyers.
It also prompted a public debate about the so-called “urban mafia” in the country. (birn)
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