Holiday rentals news - Tycoon may face court over Turkish property scam

Tycoon may face court over Turkish property scam

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) of Northern Ireland is considering if it will bring County Derry property tycoon, Kevin O’Kane, before the criminal courts for his alleged role in a multi-million pound holiday home scam - where many families lost tens of thousands of pounds.

The Belfast Telegraph reports that following a major police investigation lasting more than two years and involving the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers and the Turkish police, detectives from the PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch have handed over a file of evidence against O’Kane to the PPS for consideration.

The PPS is now to review the file and decide if there is enough available evidence to prosecute O’Kane for his alleged fraudulent property dealings in holiday homes in Turkey.

O’Kane is accused of selling properties on the south coast of Turkey to more than 80 people and providing fake title deeds so they would think that they owned the property when in fact they did not. The alleged Golden Beach property fraud saw a large number of families handing over substantial sums of cash for holiday villas and apartments in Turkey.

O’Kane’s Ulster property firm, Anka, had been involved in sales of holiday homes in Turkey worth around £4.5 million, the report adds. The 53-year-old has denied any involvement in the alleged scam - saying that he too is a victim.

As well as the criminal investigation into his involvement, around 80 people have launched a civil action against him in a bid to reclaim some of the money they lost.

The Turkish properties were marketed as beach villas, under the slogan ‘A slice of paradise’. They were advertised as having guaranteed rental income.

Last week O’Kane launched a civil action against former boxing world champion Eamonn Loughran - who lost £75,000 in the alleged scam - for punching him. O’Kane is suing the ex-world welterweight for damages after he was hit in the face by Loughran during an argument over the alleged scam, according to the Belfast Telegraph.

During a civil hearing in Coleraine County Court last week O’Kane said he had to receive stitches to his face, lip and back of his head after he was punched by Loughran - who confronted the property developer while on holiday in Turkey.

Deputy County Court Judge Edgar has reserved judgment in the case until he reviews the evidence.

This story is brought to you by holidaylettings.co.uk.

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