The Algiers court of Chéraga tried a real estate agent, identified as "M.F", in absentia on Tuesday, September 27, 2026, on charges of fraud and swindling. The accused allegedly stole 50 million centimes from a citizen after convincing him to buy an apartment in the municipality of Staouali. The victim claimed that he found an online ad for the apartment and went to the real estate agency, "Harsha", in Chéraga, where he met three people, including the accused and his son.
The victim stated that after viewing the apartment, the accused and his associates asked him to provide personal documents, including his annual income, to complete the purchase procedures. They then took 50 million centimes as a down payment. A week later, the victim returned to the agency to request a receipt for the payment, but the accused asked him to pay an additional 100 million centimes, claiming it was necessary to go through a committee. This raised the victim's suspicions, and he demanded his money back, but the accused and his associates disappeared and closed their phones.
The defense of the victim argued that his client was a victim of a complete scam, noting that the agency claimed to be working with the National Real Estate Promotion Institution (ENPI), but investigations revealed that the agency had been shut down and was operating outside the law. The defense also stated that the accused claimed the victim had backed out of the purchase, while the victim insisted that he had asked for his money back after being asked to pay the additional amount.
The accused's defense team demanded that the court recognize their client's civil party status and order the accused to pay 100 million centimes in compensation for the damages suffered. The prosecution requested a two-year prison sentence and a fine of 100,000 Algerian dinars for the accused. The court will deliver its verdict at a later date.
The case highlights the risks of real estate scams in Algeria, where many people have fallen victim to fake agencies and unscrupulous agents. The authorities have been urged to take measures to regulate the real estate sector and protect citizens from such scams. In recent years, Algerian courts have dealt with numerous cases of real estate fraud, resulting in significant financial losses for the victims.
The accused's son was also implicated in the scam, but his current whereabouts are unknown. The investigation revealed that the agency had been operating outside the law, and its activities had been shut down. The victim's lawyer expressed hope that the court would deliver a fair verdict and provide his client with the justice he deserves.
The trial was a significant step towards holding the accused accountable for his actions, and it is expected that the verdict will serve as a deterrent to others who might engage in similar scams. The case also highlights the importance of verifying the authenticity of real estate agencies and agents before engaging in any transactions.
Key points
- An Algerian court tried a real estate agent in absentia for allegedly scamming a citizen out of 50 million centimes in a fake sale deal.
- The accused allegedly stole the money after convincing the victim to buy an apartment in Staouali, and then disappeared and closed his phones.
- The prosecution requested a two-year prison sentence and a fine of 100,000 Algerian dinars for the accused.
