A PORTADOWN family who lost a total of £225,000 in an alleged major international property scam are pleased that the Ulsterman suspected of the crime may face charges in Northern Ireland.
John Moore, his father and cousin lost £75,000 each when they thought they were paying for three-bedroom villas in the fashionable Turkey resort of Bodrum, which never materialised.
As a result of the alleged scam, the PSNI have recommended that B
ellaghy businessman Kevin O'Kane should face a range of charges, including money laundering and obtaining property by deception.
In May 2007, Mr O'Kane was questioned in Turkey about an alleged £2.5 million property scam involving fake deeds for property. Around 80 people from Northern Ireland lost their life savings in the affair.
Mr O'Kane, who was one of three people interviewed by the Turkish police in May 2007, denied any involvement and claimed he had personally lost £250,000.
His passport was seized by the Turkish authorities and he was ordered not to leave the country, but in June that year he fled back to Northern Ireland, claiming he had received death threats and was ill.
Some 25 investors from Northern Ireland later gave evidence at the trial of two Turkish nationals said to be involved in the alleged scam. They then led a civil action through the Northern Ireland courts which resulted in Mr Kane's assets – including an extensive property portfolio and a fuel business – being frozen.
justice
Mr John Moore insisted that justice must be done in the case. "I am pleased at the way the police have progressed the matter," he said. "A lot of people in Northern Ireland, England and Scotland have lost money.
"We want to see recompense for our financial hardship. I want to see those who are responsible brought before the court and that we ultimately get our money back."
A year ago, the PSNI received a request from the Turkish authorities for Mr O'Kane to be arrested and extradited, but it failed when it emerged that the request had no legal status in Northern Ireland.
Six months ago, it was disclosed that a forensic accountant would be engaged to examine Mr O'Kane banking arrangements which had not been previously disclosed.
Police investigators have interviewed him almost 50 times, and alleged victims have been sent a letter informing them that the PSNI has recommended that he should face charges in Northern Ireland.
