Expat Community > Brazil

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Joined 2014
Posts: 1

Brazil teak forestry SCAM - help with land ownership query

10 years ago

Hi,

I am (one of the many) helpless investor who have invested in a plot of land with teak trees, located in Belem (Para) via a UK company. Now the company is currently in liquidation and the two directors have declared personal bankruptcy (so all the rent + capital they owe us were never paid back)

We would like to understand what we were actually being sold and after many unsuccessful attempts to find any local (Brazil) assistance, I found this forum and hope someone with some knowledge in the area would give us some insight in relation to land ownership in Brazil.

We (the group of investors) were led to believe that we were sold a full leasehold title of the plot of land, and hence when the company goes down, the plot of land would be the security for us. However, after given our contracts to a UK lawyer for review, we were told that what we were sold are no more than a license to the rental income derived from the plot of land and the thinning of the teak trees. As such, we are looking for avenues to confirm whether we were sold a full leasehold title or a license that’s worthless.

I’d be grateful if anyone could help as answering a few questions:

- How do you find out who owns particular plots of land in Belem (Para) ? Are there any public records for this?

- From my understanding, the UK company who sold us the trees + land, owns a Brazilian company which owns the land. Is it even possible for them to divide the land and sell it on to individual investors?

- What kind of certificate does one need to have in order to have a full ‘leasehold’ title to a land plot?

If you’re unable to answer the questions, but have a contact who has the knowledge who you can refer me to, that would be much appreciated too!

Many thanks!!

Regards,
Elsa

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