An Arab businessman who planned to invest 1.2 million euros in tourism in Santa Comba Dao told Lusa that he was considering abandoning the project after he was allegedly scammed by a citizen also accused of fraudulent donations to Ukraine.
The news of an Arab investor who planned to invest more than one million euros in the municipality after buying a farm for future rural tourism was well received in the region.
Entrepreneur Fares Nasser acquired Quinta Nova do Soutal with the aim of turning it into a tourism unit, he told Lusa through his legal representative in Portugal.
The purchase took place in 2019 after other investments, namely in Gois, Coimbra region.
Last year, in order to move the project forward, he was looking for a caretaker, a person who would take care of the farm and do some work not only on the site, but also in the garden, and eventually accepted the offer of Ruy de Souza, with which he never succeeded. to sign a contract.
The man later asked him to live in one of the farmhouses with his wife and child, to which the Omani-based businessman agreed.
They are a couple who are under investigation by the Portuguese authorities following accusations from people accusing him of scamming donations to help people and animals in Ukraine.
Fares Nasser says that he advanced several sums of money, expecting in return the work to be completed and the corresponding purchase of materials, but several people in the region told him that in the end neither the work nor the materials were carried out because he asked that the money was purchased.
“There was a big discrepancy between what he said and what he said was done,” the businessman said.
At the same time, the businessman learned that Rui de Souza had cut down several trees, ostensibly to sell timber, which he did without permission and embezzled the amount of timber.
When faced with the situation, he always refused to give any explanation, and things got worse when the businessman said he lacked the confidence to maintain a professional relationship, Nasser said.
Rui de Souza did not agree and at the end of the 2021/22 season he refused to leave the house, saying he had nowhere to go.
A period of heated exchanges followed between the businessman, the lawyer, and Rui de Souza, until the latter was even forced to leave, although he allegedly took with him several goods Fares Nasser had acquired in the meantime and left the house completely destroyed. without taps. , doors, windows, furniture and other goods.
Prior to this, and after the owner of the farm ordered the suspension of water and electricity, he would have made illegal connections and improperly activated contracts.
The businessman has filed a complaint with the authorities and the DIAP – Santa Comba Dão is currently investigating the theft of goods.
The case prompted the businessman to think about not investing in Portugal, mainly after he learned about the “inaction of the authorities” and that it is difficult for anyone to do anything, even in the face of illegal occupation of the house and theft of goods. which will involve several people.
Fares Nasser is considering selling the farm for the amount he bought and is going to invest 1.2 million euros in another region.
Lusa unsuccessfully tried to listen to Ruy de Souza, as well as the mayor of Santa Comba Dao, the municipality where the investment was to be made.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
