This is the second TV film by Adelita Coriat and combines the original shown last September (06) (over 1000 viewings) it divulges more facts about the scams on Isla Solarte in the Bocas del Toro archipelago selling RoP (Derechos Possesorios) of state owned land in Panama.
Shepard Johnson is on the run and has not returned to Panama or Isla Solarte for years his sales have collapsed he remains in his house in Granite Bay California, complaining he is the innocent party and refuses to return to Panama City and face the charges against him, blaming everybody for his demise and declaring Chapter 11 last July (07) in California and suing anyone who does not agree with him.
Guillermo Martucci and his partners even though under house arrest go about their daily business as normal, the same applies to the other defendants in the case, they have very deep pockets having swindled people out of millions of Dollars.
The Government and the corrupt Judiciary refuses to do anything about the corruption at all levels, instead of tackling the problems are now part of it which recent events and legislation protecting crooks in Panama has proven. This has outraged investors who are demanding action and indicating that if this problem is not tackled soon the whole Panama land bubble may burst. In August the Government were forced to amend law 62 regarding RoP that had caused so much controversy and was open to misinterpretation by crooks and scam artists, and even the introduction of law 2 with concessions in 2006 has done little to alleviate the problem.
Non-Spanish speakers are advised to have someone with knowledge of the Spanish language to assist in understanding some of the complications of this problem. I would like to extend my grateful thanks to Adelita Corient for her persistence and excellent reporting.
Enjoy the film, please spread the word and pass the URL on to any other persons or organisation you think will benefit from it’s contents, you are reminded that this documentary covers the 200 investors on Solarte and now includes the native community on the Island who are also under threat. They all hope one day to call Isla Solarte home, regretfully after ten years there are a few (now deceased) who will never be able to do that.
Thanks for watching
Bernard Collier

P.S. The murder last week of Kim Crofts on the island has now created more fear and uncertainty.

Paradise Stolen 2-a
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-876547171908907409&q=solarte+paradise+stolen&pr=goog-sl

Paradise Stolen 2-b
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7247709494971970796&q=solarte+paradise+stolen&pr=goog-sl

Rental rates are low enough that, IMO, it doesn’t make sense to buy unless you are married to a native.

I work in REAL ESTATE in this area IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO. I born here too. So when you know very well the area and the properties, you can give a good service to folk that want to buy…WHY, BECAUSE this is small town, if you make samething wrong everbody know and we lose reputation,prestige and clients.

thak you Mr Domenick:

have greay day….

Pedro Medina.

http://www.ixtapa-zihuatanejorealestate.com

While I agree with you that the article written singles out only Latin America, and does not specify in which countries these scams may exist, I believe the purpose of the article was to raise awareness as to the scams, not place blame.

I lived in Brazil for two years and am aware of most of these scams through stories told by my husband’s family and friends (he is Brazilian). Brazilians take this all in stride, but it is a very big
problem there.

I agree that there are scams all over the world, including the USA; however in America, there is in place a title system which makes it extremely difficult to sell the same piece of property to multiple buyers, or to sell a piece of property out from under someone who legally owns it. In addition, while America does have a homeless problem, it is not such that the homeless can squat indefinitely on a piece of property making it unsellable, as can be done in Brazil.

Overall, I think the writer did a good job of giving ex-patriates some rules of thumb when purchasing property in a country where they are not familiar with the laws. It opens one’s eyes, but doesn’t place blame.

Sincerely,

Patti Beckert

The worst part was that they were actually featured on British TV and had a nice professional website. But their most common answer to my questions were, ‘I don’t know’

I also purchased a 2nd home in Britain and again problem upon problem. They were utterly useless.
There are definitely alot of scams everywhere!!! Europe included! Just have to get the right agent by referral and an amazing lawyer by referral

Scam artists come in all shapes, and sizes……Madoff, Ponzi, Most British Banks,