With Boris Mansfeld and his company Boris Mannsfeld & Associates experiencing an influx of 1 star reviews, appears to have finally grown a backbone. Or maybe he’s afraid that he’ll look too good in orange š. Mannsfeld replying to every single review implying “We got our clients covered”. And it does appear that he might actually make it happen – insiders confirming that Mannsfeld has put up his beloved Penthouse at the Villas Cocoplum on the market for $1.5Million US dollars. Will it be enough to make everybody whole again or will it be a one way ticket to a non-extradition country?
Jerry Belair1, a self-proclaimed corporate real estate attorney from the U.S., has come forward with a jaw-dropping story about his nightmarish experience with Boris Mannsfeld & Associates (BMA) in Belize. In a scathing online review2, Belair warns potential buyers to think twice before doing business with the firm.
Belair paints a picture of chaos and deceit, detailing how he purchased a property through BMA, with the firm acting as both the seller’s and buyer’s agent. Now, more than two years later, heās still waiting for the title to his property. “I have not received a title after more than two years waiting,” Belair states, adding that BMA recently notified him the reason for the delay is due to real estate transfer feesāpaid to BMAābeing fraudulently retained by a consulting firm. And if that wasn’t enough drama, the consultant in question was murdered, and BMA’s office manager, allegedly involved, is no longer employed.
Belair claims he is now facing the prospect of hiring an attorney and another real estate professional, paying another $14,000 in transfer tax and $5,000 in legal and consultant fees, just to get his title. āYou will not be able to claim against his Colorado Real Estate license nor Real Estate Escrow Account as Boris Mannsfeld’s license is long expired,ā he warns. āNote I paid BMA, but BMA claims they are not responsible even though the money was paid to them.ā
Despite being a seasoned corporate real estate attorney, Belair admits he got “taken for nearly $20,000” and cautions others to tread carefully. “There are several solid real estate companies in Placencia,” he advises, “and I would not recommend you use BMA.”
But BMA isn’t taking these accusations lying down. In a swift and defensive response, owner Boris Mannsfeld fired back, insisting the firm is doing everything it can to address the situation.
“Dear Mr. Belair,” the response begins, “BMA understands your frustration, and we are working around the clock to address these matters.” Mannsfeld goes on to detail how the fraud involving the closing agency has been reported to the relevant Belize authorities and that BMA has hired an attorney to file a class action lawsuit against JC Consulting, their former employee Frik De Meyere, and others involved. “We take this matter very seriously,” Mannsfeld insists, “and have been paying all legal bills and spending endless hours to assist with expeditiously resolving this matter.”
In a bid to reassure clients, Mannsfeld claims that the title itself is not in jeopardy, only the “physical printout of your title is being delayed.” He adds, āThe government is fully aware of the litigation, fraud, and title issues and is working with us to assure titles get issued.ā
Mannsfeld makes it clear that BMA has followed the purchase agreement to the letter, paying all funds received to the appropriate parties in the transaction. āBMA paid all funds received by you to the appropriate parties in the transaction,ā he states. He also reveals he was personally affected by the fraudulent actions of JC Consulting, losing money on his own real estate deals.
Mannsfeld acknowledges that Belize does not have real estate licensing (yet), but emphasizes that BMA has been a member of various professional agencies, including the real estate association, the chamber of commerce, and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), for over a decade. āWe have closed hundreds of transactions efficiently without any issues,ā he says, expressing regret that “these matters are upon us now.”
He concludes by urging Belair to work with BMA, not against them, to resolve the situation. āIn our opinion, you did not āget takenā for $20,000,ā Mannsfeld argues, āand suggest that you work with us to get these matters resolved.ā He assures that BMA is covering all legal matters and cooperating fully with authorities.
So, is BMA a victim of a complex web of fraud, or is there more to the story? Only time will tell as this real estate drama continues to unfold in Belize. Stay tuned as we follow this story and see if justice will be served, and if clients like Jerry Belair will finally get the resolutionāand titleātheyāve been waiting for.