Former Notaries Blamed For Property Fraud in Public Registry

(Panama-Guide) - La Prensa - The Public Registry and the Association of Notaries of Panama admitted yesterday that they have no ability to completely stop the fraudulent transfer of properties. The legal advisor of the Public Registry, Rutilio Gonzalez, said yesterday that fraud in the transfer of property comes from the notary publics, so they find it very difficult to stop when it comes to the institution. The current administration of the Public Registry received 40 complaints of this type in July 2010, which is why they have cited the current notaries on three occasions to try to agree on control measures. Hundreds of people have been victims of this crime in recent years, which have occurred throughout the country. The Second Prosecutor's Office of Panama has other cases under investigation, but warned that the lack of documents have the investigations paralyzed. Similarly, the president of the College of Notaries and the Tenth Notary, Ricardo Landeros, accepted they can not have absolute control over this issue, but said current notaries have taken steps to minimize it. Among the cases the Public Ministry is investigating are former notaries for their alleged ties to these crimes.

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Original Source: Panama-Guide
Date Retrieved: October 20, 2010.