What should I do now? help please!

ahsanjalil

I decided to buy a property in Jan 2007, referred to one mortgage broker, he checked my documents, and said he will get me offer and find a property and all estimate he gave me was around £5700 excluding property price. I earn £30K and they showed me a property worth 150K, where I only have to pay 5700 and that’s it, 10% deposit cover etc was included in purchase price. And many lenders now can give 5 x of your salary which I was eligible, I have very good credit history. And knew I will get mortgage easily.

After 6 months of continuous struggle and chasing he finally manage to get me an offer, I have no clue why it took so long, however during that time he took £4500 from me as fees for different things he done for me (I have no idea what he done), on completion date I went to sign the contract, there was another bill ready for me £7500 before completion, which he justified that due to long process quite a few things added in to original fees, so now I have to pay him nearly £13K, without that I will not get a property. Another reason he told me that as property is worth more than his selling price so he also needs compensation. As I am first time buyer I don’t know how complicated these things are. I refused to pay an extra £7500 and he refused completion and refund. Ask to return my all documents, and when I open my documents they were fake, there were wrong stamps on my passport photocopy (I am highly skilled migrant and legally allowed to purchase property in UK), fake pay slips even I sent him real ones, fake job letter, and on top of it there were 3 utility bills under my name, they changed my wife name to my name and keep everything same.

I don’t know if he left these documents by mistake or what, as I don’t think he ever wanted to show me these.

It was shocking for me at that time, and when i refuse to pay his so called bill, he said solicitor to return the funds to lender. Just to clarify that broker arranged the solicitor who seems his mate.

After asking his neighbors and his old employees I found that its his common practice and he has done this with quite a few people. What was also shocking for me that he is not citizen of UK and living here on international student visa, and his brother is illegal immigrant and both were convicted of crime in the past.

I want advice that what should I do to get my money back? as I can now clearly see that I have been fooled. Shall I call homeoffice and tell about his status and illegal activities? or use legal forum and bring him to court?

Many thanks in advance

maninthestreet

So many things wrong here it's difficult to know where to start.
Mortage brokers arrange mortgages - they don't find people properties to buy. The man you have been dealing with is, from what you tell us, a convicted criminal (fraudster?). Everthing else you mention is probably just a consequence of dealing with fraudsters in matters such as this.

Doozergirl

I think the answer is to take all those documents to the police and let them deal with it.

I don't know what to say otherwise. You could ask almost anyone who has ever bought a house and they will tell you how much they paid their broker. With most, you pay absolutely nothing! They take their commission from the mortgage lender. Some do charge a fee but it would be nowhere near what you've paid out.

And why would you wait six months when you could have walked straight into the NatWest, even?

He must have seen you coming

Go to the police. Ask them the best process to try and get your money back. I think you'll be talking to solicitors, who will also cost money

ahsanjalil

Yes my mistake, I shouldn’t trusted him on first, but the problem I couldn’t visit him often was that I live in Berkshire and he’s in east London. Actually he is broker and sell properties as well.

The deal was very simply, pay him £5700 and take the flat worth of £150. all fees, stamp duty, and other costs are paid in £5700.

Why it took 6 months? The reason he told me that the guy who was working on my case has left and did not handed over my file to him, and he prepared the case incorrect so he has to do it again scratch. By that time I have been charged £450 for survey. That’s another amount I paid him again for 2nd survey, because he told me that first lender refuses the case due to incorrect application.

Can police do anything in my case? Can they recover my money? Shall I’ll be telling to FSA as he is registered with them. And obviously the offer he get for me is I guess on forged documents, should I tell lender?

My only fear is that he might try to do some harm. He is operating like this from many years without being noticed there must be something, probably have organized network? I know the solicitor he introduced me is his mate and wasn’t helpful when these events unfolded.

However I manage to contact the guy who was working on my case and left later, and he is willing to testify that the guy done forgery to my documents and charges he is asking are nothing but greed.

CB1979_2

i think you'll find he won't registered with the FSA.

and definetely get to the police station.

sorry but you've been mugged off here

Catblue

This is a terrible situation and I do think you need to contact the police immediately.

Try to write down exactly what happened on which dates (where you can remember) and take this diary, with every single document (forged or not) to the police station. Also take any contact details you have for this man. Also give as much information as you can about the solicitor, who seems as dodgy as the broker is.

Ask the police if they can keep your name confidential while the investigation takes place, since you fear repercussions.

The police will probably raid his house/place of business and find evidence of all sorts of illegal activities. You will not be the only victim in this.

I would ask the advice of the police about contacting the FSA and the lender. If you contact the FSA or the lender yourself, they may inadvertently tip off this man that it is you who are complaining about him.

As for getting your money back, then the chances seem low. If he is legitimately registered with the FSA (and with a criminal conviction it seems unlikely), then they may be able to help you. You may also be able to argue that your lender should have had anti-fraud measures in place and claw back some money that way.

I wish you the best of luck.

silvercar

The quickest way to get your money back may be to tell him you have the fake documents and will pass them to the police unless he returns your money within 7 days.

Incidentally, I have met people who find properties and arrange the mortgages and legal works. Some are obviously more legitimate than others. Generally they have been in the trade a while and have mates who are estate agents, solicitors and mortgage brokers; they can find properties at a discount and can work quickly through their mates. They take 1-2% commission. An unregulated area (though their mates could be registered as appropriate) but there must be some legitimate ones.

pinkshoes

Sorry you've been a victim of fraud!!

You need to go to the police as soon as possible, give them all the details about his "company", show/give them the forged documents, explain everything, and make sure you tell them that this company have STOLEN your real documents!! For all you know, they now have a genuine passport, and could attempt to sell it for ALOT of money!!

If you have the initial letter saying that a fee of £5700 would cover everything, then you can take him to court to claim back this money.

Next time you want to buy a house, I recommend the usual route of going to see a bank for a mortgage (they're very helpful!!), then finding a house through an estate agent, and using a local solicitor who will usually charge a 1 off fee plus search charges!

Parallel_Universe

Sorry to hear of this, what a nastyy piece of work that so called mortgage advisor is Go to the police with all your documents and explain what has happened.

csnann

You also need to be concerned about the possibility of identity fraud - he might have used your documents to open credit cards in your name and run up debts that you could be asked to repay!

amcluesent

You may find the Police are reluctant to act because of "sensitivities" on community relations in East London.