SwishJustice, a British-based private investigation and prosecution firm, has charged a 54-year-old Belgian man with 66 counts of Fraud by False Representation in connection with an extensive rental property scam. The charges follow a detailed investigation that uncovered fraudulent activities targeting tenants and property owners across multiple countries.

The accused is alleged to have manipulated rental agreements, misrepresented the condition and ownership of properties, and unlawfully obtained deposits and rental payments from tenants without the intention of fulfilling his obligations as a landlord. The scheme has caused significant financial losses for numerous victims, some of whom were left in vulnerable situations after being defrauded.

Details of the Alleged Offenses

The charges relate to fraudulent activities in which the accused is alleged to have:

• Collected deposits and rent payments without providing access to the properties or adhering to legal rental agreements. The defendant is also said to have falsely claimed to over 30 tenants that he has not received funds despite evidence now showing he had received it, causing tenants to suffer significant financial harm due to additional funds.
• Targeted multiple victims over a prolonged period, exploiting tenants’ trust and causing widespread financial harm.

SwishJustice’s Statement

Acting Director-General of SwishJustice, Lawrence Nutall, stated:

This case represents a significant breach of trust, where individuals seeking safe and secure housing were instead met with deception and financial exploitation. SwishJustice is committed to ensuring that those responsible for such damaging actions are brought to justice and that victims receive the accountability they deserve.

SwishJustice’s legal team will pursue the case vigorously as part of its mission to address fraud and support victims of financial crime where state agencies may not have acted.