Charges sought in Turkish 'scam'

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A County Londonderry businessman at the centre of an alleged £2.5m overseas property scam could face charges in NI.

The PSNI has recommended a range of charges against Bellaghy man Kevin O'Kane, including money laundering and obtaining property by deception.

Mr O'Kane was questioned by police in Turkey two years ago about an alleged scam involving fake property deeds.

Portadown man John Moore and two others in his family each lost £75,000. He said justice must be done.

"I am pleased at the way the police interviewed and progressed this," he said. "It is a complex case.

"A lot of people have lost a lot of money in Northern Ireland, Scotland and England.

"We want to see recompense for our financial hardship. I want to see those that are responsible for this brought before the courts and ultimately get our money back."

The only thing I have got to show for this is a set of fake deeds John Moore

Mr Moore was one of a number of alleged victims to have received a letter from the PSNI in which it said a file would be prepared for the Public Prosecution Service on the matter.

Among the charges the PSNI is recommending are theft, obtaining property by deception, obtaining money transfers by deception, forgery and conspiracy to defraud.

Would-be investors each paid £75,000 for what they thought were three-bedroom homes at Golden Beach Villas in the resort of Bodrum.

Up to 80 investors from Northern Ireland claim to have lost money as a result.

Mr Moore said he, his father and his cousin were all affected.

"The only thing I have got to show for this is a set of fake deeds," he said.

Mr O'Kane was one of three people questioned by police in Turkey.

He has denied involvement and claimed he has personally lost £250,000.