~Banks investigating money transfers done by business owner from foreign accounts.~
PHILIPSBURG:--- The owner of LIU FUJUN Caribbean N.V is busy investing in large commercial projects and apartments that are constructed on land belonging to locals.
Based on research done by SMN News it shows that the Chinese businessman is developing an apartment building complex on land belonging a local landowner. The businessman is investing his money to construct an apartment complex on the land and in exchange, he will give the landowner apartments while he keeps some for himself.
The same landowner owns the land where Boathouse restaurant is located and the businessman is expected to also develop that area.
The business proposal presented to the local land-owners seems very attractive since they do not have to invest a dime to own large properties, they also do not have to take out large loans with the local banks to develop their properties.
Another local businessman and landowner admitted to SMN News that he is in discussion with the Chinese Developer who wants to construct some apartments and commercial buildings on his property in Simpson Bay. The landowner said so far, he does not have any written contract with the developer but indeed they are in negotiations even though the developer is using his property to store containers that are not properly secured in the event of a hurricane. Already the department of VROMI conducted controls and informed the landowner that the containers have to be secured and a building permit must be requested.
Company’s Registration and license issuance.
SMN News published an article on Wednesday regarding the construction company that was established in February 2019. While the government of St. Maarten, namely the Minister of TEATT issued the business license on February 8th, 2019, the business was registered at the Chamber of Commerce on January 4th, 2019. Less than one month after a business license was issued to the businessman and developer. The said company was registered at the Tax Department on March 1st, 2019.
SMN News already established that someone that postulated in previous elections and is close friends to certain politicians also worked for the Chinese Developer.
Non-Payment of workers and subcontractors.
After the publication on Wednesday several persons mostly local workers and St. Maarten owned companies contacted SMN News with their dilemma of not being paid and were dismissed because they asked for their money. Some workers said that they were hired without contracts as the developer told them it would be better for both parties since neither of them would have to pay taxes.
The workers said that some Venezuelans also worked for the developer and was not paid, those unregistered workers were sent away without a dime. The accountant of the company and a known lawyer they allege are behind the developer that is busy exploiting people. They said they were told that the businessman has huge sums of money and would be investing in several projects, however, they are not being paid for their labor.
The workers said that the company has been buying materials such as concrete cash and they are now wondering if their money laundering taking place under the nose of government and law enforcement.
A subcontractor further said that he wrote a letter to the Minister of Justice about the illegal workers and nonpayment by the developer but so far, he did not get a response.
SMN News also learned that an accounting firm located on Front Street is closely involved with the businessman and his operations. The source said the accounting firm even took money on a monthly basis to file for documents for the undocumented Venezuelans but never did so. They said that the accountant even used a contact at USZV where she obtained USZV medical cards for some of the employees but never gave the employees their medical cards.
Bank Enquiry.
Some persons that worked for the company and got paid by wire transfer told SMN News that they were all summoned by the local banks because of the monies that were sent to their accounts from a foreign account. The persons said they had to provide proof to the banks to show they are actually doing legitimate business or working for the businessman.
Searches show the businessman has been paying some people from an account in London registered to LFJ International, a furniture store. The Director of the LFJ International Is Fujun LIU, who has been in charge of the company since February 2nd, 2015.
