Recent protests and blockades on the southern peripheral road of Mérida, Yucatán, have uncovered a sophisticated fraudulent scheme involving the illegal sale of state-owned land. Investigations by the State Attorney General’s Office revealed that a criminal group had been operating in the San José Tecoh neighborhood, selling lots on government-owned property under the false promise of future regularization and the provision of basic housing units.
The perpetrators reportedly sold 8×20 meter lots for 50,000 pesos each, primarily targeting young couples and individuals migrating from other states. The scam involved an initial down payment of 15,000 pesos, with the remaining balance collected through weekly installments. To maximize profits, the group employed predatory tactics, often evicting families who missed payments and reselling the same lot multiple times to different victims. Authorities estimate that with at least 100 lots identified in the area, the illicit operation generated upwards of five million pesos.
A disturbing element of the investigation is the alleged complicity of officials from the Yucatán Housing Institute (IVEY). Victims reported meeting with individuals claiming to be agency staff directly on-site to discuss “regularization processes,” lending an air of legitimacy to the scam. Similar fraudulent patterns have been reported in other southern Mérida neighborhoods, including Roble Agrícola, Emiliano Zapata Sur, and Dzununcán.
The recent blockades, which involved the burning of objects and significant disruptions to traffic, served as a desperate cry for help from those who realized they had been defrauded. As authorities continue to untangle this network of corruption, the incident underscores the urgent need for stricter oversight of land distribution programs and enhanced protection against predatory real estate practices in the region.
Source: https://solyucatan.mx
