Builder arrested in Palma for charging 23,000 euros for works he did not start
The works did not start and the builder alleged first that he had not received the permits and, subsequently, that he had to undergo an operation
PalmaThe National Police have arrested in Palma the manager of a construction company as the alleged perpetrator of a fraud against a woman who handed him over more than 23,000 euros to renovate her home and build a swimming pool, work that never even began. The investigation dates back to the end of February, when the victim contacted a construction and renovation company in Palma and agreed with the manager on a budget of more than 46,000 euros to carry out various works on a property she owned.
According to the police force, the victim initially paid more than 4,600 euros upon signing the contract and then another 18,400 euros for the work to begin. The work did not start on the agreed dates and the builder first claimed that he had not yet received the necessary urban planning permits and, subsequently, that he had to undergo surgery, and gave the client a new date to start the work.
Faced with suspicions, the woman consulted the Urban Planning department about the status of the permits and was informed that there was no record of any license application to carry out the work, neither in her name nor in that of the construction company.
The victim tried to contact the company manager again, who stopped responding to calls and messages, and she filed a complaint for an alleged fraud of more than 23,000 euros.
The National Police began an investigation that allowed them to identify and locate the builder, who was arrested last Wednesday and placed at the disposal of the judicial authorities.