Another “Martinez scammed me” land fraud case

Several Belizean Americans, living in Los Angeles, have contacted this station alleging that they have been swindled out of thousands of dollars by Edward Martinez, the brother of Minister, Anthony “Boots” Martinez. His M.O., according to the BelAms, is to use his brother’s name to convince them to pay him for properties that would be ready when they return home. But it appears that Martinez has also been operating locally and a Ladyville couple has come forward, claiming they were also duped in the land scam. Jason and Raquel Requeña say that Martinez has also been using the alias Julius Martinez. But even with a different name, it was the same game as he reportedly told them his brother, the minister, would make sure the deal worked out. So the Requeña’s made a down payment on a lot in the Mitchell Estate area in late 2010 and since then Martinez has reportedly been dodging them.  Jason told News Five today that they took their case to the courts.

Jason Requeña

Jason Requeña, Alleged Victim of Land Scam

“In December Mr. Julius he came he wanted to sell us this piece of land. He said he was in charge of the land he wanted to sell us. And he said give him four thousand dollars up front and he would give us the papers and give him the other eleven because it was fifteen thousand they wanted for the land. So we gave him four thousand dollars cash, he brought a JP, gave us some papers in exchange. The thing went through and he told he would give us ninety days to get the papers because his brother was Boots and he can push it through quick. We agreed, the JP signed the papers, everything was good. But when we tried to call him, no answer. When we get to him, he would say he was working on the papers, give him little more time. And we did that until we decided to—we went to a lawyer and the lawyer started calling him and he even cut off the lawyer too, he didn’t want to do nothing with the lawyer. So we just went to court. The court heard the case; it was adjourned like two to three times because he didn’t show up to court, police didn’t find him. The judge still went on with the case and we won the case so right now the lawyer is trying to get a warrant for his arrest.”

Delahnie Bain

“Because you still can’t find him.”

Jason Requeña

“We still can’t find him. We went to Boots office, we spoke to his mother, his brother; nobody can’t locate this man yah.”

Delahnie Bain

“And the judge has ordered that he give you back your money?”

Jason Requeña

“Yup, that he give us back the money yeah.”

Delahnie Bain

“And when did you say this deal started?”

Jason Requeña

“This started in December; the money transfer happened December twenty-first 2010.”

Delahnie Bain

“So what made you all decide to speak out about your case?”

Jason Requeña

“Well, we si di TV and everybody di come out bout di man yah so we decide better we come out too because dis man di do lotta thing to lotta people beside we. Other people, he just di scam everybody, di man dah wah big scam.”