Buying Property in Hurghada Egypt-Real?

mgsteveb

Here is a short Story about my Investment in Hurghada Egypt.

My original investment I was conned out of in 2008 over my 50% share of a 20 apartment project in Hurghada but that is another story. I managed to find a Lawyer through Property Community Forum called Ziead Yehia from “Edgebridge Law Firm” and an Agent called “Peter Mitry” from “Egypt-Real”, to help me recoup my investment.

Ziead Yehia agreed to help me on a now win no fee basis as did Peter Mitry. Ziead Yehia was a hard man to get hold of and months could pass by not being able to contact him by phone, text, email even facebook. After nearly a year Ziead Yehia contacted me saying he had a plan. I was to fly to Hurghada immediately and meet up with a local Lawyer Ibrahim he had instructed to Act on his behalf.

I flew to Hurghada, met Ibrahim and Peter Mitry, Ibrahim took me to Luxor to get copies of my original contract then back to Hurghada with Peter Mitry from Egypt-Real. I gave Ibrahim my POA to act for me. I then flew back to England glad that something was happening. However, once again Ziead Yehia was impossible to contact. Some months later Ziead Yehia did contact me. Apparently Ibrahim the Lawyer he had instructed used the Power of Attorney had decided to take the apartments for himself and was selling them!

So I was back to square one. Once again Ziead Yehia became impossible to get hold of, Peter Mitry from “Egypt-Real” had no idea what was going on and I was totally gobsmacked as Ibrahim was now the third Lawyer in Hurghada to act on their own interests.

After months of emails and unanswered phone calls to “Peter Mitry” and “Ziead Yehia” I finally had a response in May 2010. Ziead Yehia had instructed a Lawyer called Ezzat Othman El Sayem who was starting to work for Edgebridge Law Firm to investigate Ibrahim. It was confirmed that Ibrahim had obtained the apartments for himself and I was asked to fly out to Hurghada to give Ezzat POA to recoup my investment.

Ezzat Othman El Sayem did a great job, contacted the developers, and managed to secure 2 apartments for me from an impossible situation to just cover 75% of my investment and costs. Finally I had found an honest Lawyer…… Or had I?

Read on

In the offices of “Egypt-real” and “Edgebridge Law Firm” Hurghada I signed 3 copies of a contract for 2 apartments in June this year with Ezzat El Sayem with Peter Mitry Present. I also handed over £980 to Ezzat El Sayem for what he said “connection of Electricity”. However, despite many emails from myself and other advocates to Peter Mitry, Ezzat, Ziead Yehia and the secretary Sam Glover of Edgebridge Law Firm I have still not received a copy of the contract or a reply from anyone from Edgebridge Law Firm.

I am confused, is standard practice for Edgebridge Law Firm and Egypt-real not to supply a copy of a contract or standard practice within the real estate industry in Hurghada. I am further confused as I signed 3 copies both in English and Arabic both on the same page in Peter Mirty’s presence, yet when I asked Peter Mitry for a copy he said it has to be translated into Arabic, mmmm?

I am further confused as I made a point that included in the contract was that the builders were responsible for the finishing of the Stairs and Hall. I even showed it to Peter Mitry and read it out to him. However, 3 weeks after returning to England, Ezzat from Edgebridge Law firm contacted me through Facebook to ask for another £1500 for the finishing of the stairs and Electric from the hall to the apartments. I have researched costing's through property investment forums and I have been told that they have never heard of people being asked to pay for extra’s like the finishing of the stairs and more money for the installation of electric. Has anyone else been asked to pay for these “extra” charges who have bought property in Hurghada?

It appears that the new con in Hurghada is to get prospective buyers to part with their money for extras such as “connection of electric and water”. I have done my research and the maximum it should cost is £100 (Including add on's).

I queried these costs with “Peter Mitry” both for the £980 cash I paid, for the extra I was being asked for the Stairs and Hall and why I have not received a copy of the contract. However Peter Mitry has not replied to these questions and he has now decided to take a (as I have been told) “side exit” from the agreement we had.

I have posted on the Community forum for advice. Why no contract, Why the charge of £980 for connection of electric and water, Why ask for £1500 for the finishing of the stairs when it is the builders responsibility? Guess what? The forum is moderated by…. Yes ….. You guessed it…. Peter Mitry from Egypt-Real. So anything I posted about Egypt-real, Edgebridge Law Firm, Ezzat or Ziead Yehia gets taken down and I get a nice little “Infraction” for breaking the rules.

I did however, have a long conversation with a couple who have been in Hurghada for 6 years and were there when Peter Mitry and Nick Pendrell started Egypt-real. It is apparent that the money I was being asked to pay for Electric, stairs etc is typical and just a con to squeeze as much money out of people as they can. He also told me about other people who have lost money through them but I can’t comment on second hand information. I am more upset as I trusted Peter Mitry and he just sat there and turned a blind eye when Ezzat Othman El Siam took £890 from me and further asked for £1500 for the trumped up “finishing of the stairs routine”. I am even more upset that he saw the contract himself but when asked by friends of mine he lied and said it had to be translated. However, the general conversation was these people can not be trusted. Hey I have no contract, tell me about it.

I still have not heard from Peter Mitry, Ziead Yehia, Ezzat Othman El Sayem, Sam Glover or Edgebridge Law firm. I did email Sam Glover of Edgebridge Law firm for a breakdown of costs and / or an explanation. She said she would investigate but I have not heard from her since either!

My position is now Ezzat is asking for £1200 for registration fees. Come on is there anyone who is going to pay £1200 registration fee’s when they have no contract?

I would appreciate any advice if anyone knows anything about property in Hurghada, as I am reluctant to do anything without a copy of a contract.

If not then let this be a warning to anyone researching trusted companies to use if you are thinking of investing in Hurghada.

spirit

er, this is a duplicate post and I have answered your original one.

meebsquat

What was the answer? The words "investment" and "Egypt" make me want to lock my wallet in a safe...

spirit

http://www.propertyhotspotsworldwide.com/index.php

mgsteveb

To all concerned. In response to Zeiad Yehia of Edgebridge Law Firm Suing me for my Posts.

I have taken a long time recently to research and evaluate my position and options. I will stick to the facts at hand and make my position clear.

I am very grateful for the work Ezzat El Sayem El Sayem has done to secure 2 units from Lucy and Sue. Mustafa the builder and Sando’s lost nothing as they kept there original 10 apartments.

However;

• I was asked by Peter Mitry from Egypt Real and Ezzat El Sayem as a client for £980 for connection of Electric Water of which you claim was the builders charge.

• I travelled to Hurghada and paid the £980 to Ezzat El Sayem . Ezzat El Sayem then told me he had taken on Sue and Mustafa (My opponents) as clients.

• On my own research I was told unanimously from other developers in Hurghada that £980 for these charges is extortionate and a common scam to extract as much money from unsuspecting foreigners.

• I contacted Peter Mitry, Ezzat El Sayem, Sam Glover and Zeiad Yehia for a breakdown of the £980 charge from Sandos. I got no reply

• Ezzat El Sayem contacted me on facebook for a further £1500 for finishing Stairs and landing.

• I complained to Ezzat El Sayem, Peter Sam Glover and Zeiad Yehia as the contract stated it was the builder’s responsibility as on the contract.

• Despite repeat requests for a copy of the contract no one responded. Finally after 3 months Sam Glover said if I have a copy then they would not get paid.

• Peter Mitry of Egypt Real emailed Audrey my “mediator” to say “The contract is waiting to be translated”.

• I posted my story on the Internet

• Sam Glover from Edgebridge Law Firm replied to Audrey with a response to my posting. Sam Glover explains the £980 charge and the £1500 is the builders charge and “Don’t shoot the messenger”.

• Zeiad Yehia responds to my posts on line and sends a text saying he is suing me.

I maintain that my Internet postings are Justifiable, are based on facts and can be proven by email, text and recorded telephone conversations. I also maintain that they are fair comment and matter of public interest.

In my internet postings I have never accused Edgebridge Law Firm or Peter Mirty from Egypt Real of stealing my Money. However I have questioned the facts as they stand.

The questions I have based on facts are.

1. If Egypt Real or Edgebridge Law firm receive a request from a developer for money from one of their clients.

• Is it reasonable that they, or any respected firm, would give a detailed breakdown of these costs upon request from the Client?

• Is it unreasonable for any respected firm to not reply when asked for such a request?

• Sam Glover replied to my request after 3 months with an explanation of “It is the Builders asking for the money, Don’t shoot the messenger” Is this a reasonable or unreasonable response from a respected law firm.

2. It is a given fact that any respectful, professional Law firm, or agent in Hurghada knows that when completing a property contract with a UK citizen then that contract is written in English and Arabic. In fact it is stated on your Web Site.

• It is reasonable for any client of Edgebridge Law Firm or Egypt Real to receive a copy of the contract

• When asked for a copy of the contract is it reasonable for a professional respected law firm to reply “If you have a copy then it is over and we will not get paid” Is not reasonable to have at least a photo copy, unsigned so the client can have a copy of the terms and conditions to check.

• Is it reasonable for Peter Mitry to reply “It has to be translated into English” Surly that contradicts the fact that respected firms use contracts written in English and Arabic?

• I state as a fact I signed 3 copies of the contract in English and Arabic. I even showed it to Peter Mitry and read it out to him

3. Ezzat El Sayem asked me for £1500 to finish the stairs and landing on Facebook.

• Is it unreasonable for any respected Lawyer to contact clients via facebook for requests for Money.

• Is it unreasonable behaviour for any respected Lawyer when asked for an explanation of such a request from the client to receive a message on facebook threatening Violence?

• Is it unreasonable for any respected Lawyer “It is the Builders asking for the money, Don’t shoot the messenger”

4. Ezzat El Sayem told me he had taken on my opposition on as clients. Keeping in mind these are the same people who got my name taken of the Power of Attorney for the 20 properties, the same people I had taken to court in England.

• The fact is there is not a respected Lawyer anywhere that would take on a client’s opposition as clients.

• Any reasonable person can easily form the opinion that their Lawyer no longer has their interests at heart and there is a direct conflict of interests.

I have given Egypt Real and Edgebridge Law Firm every opportunity to act professionally and supply me with answers to all the above. Unfortunately to this date I have received none.

Edgebridge Law Firm maintained I have “blackmailed” them by threatening to post on the Internet about them. I have said I would post on the Internet about them but only the truth, the facts.

I believe my story should be told as a matter of fair comment and Public interest. I believe people should be given the option based on fact so that they do not make the same mistakes as I have.

As a gesture of good will I have taken down most of the posts so all parties can re asses their position.