Bellazo By Kalia

This was a scam and I cant believe we actually fell for their lies! Oh yes when you take the discovery tour they suck you in with the great hospitality a chef, a beautiful home to stay in for 3 days and then they want money!

The developer Ami from Israel is *** Our realtor exposed her private parts to my husband because she knew I was onto to them and didnt want to go through with it. She did this while I went and used bathroom! My husband told me immediately. Ami , was a strange character.

I put my hang on my stomach and he told me dont do that again . I said excuse me? My words cant even explain what that moment was like. My husband was furious and told our sales girl he better never speak to my wife like that again.

It almost felt like some sort of cult if I may say. It managed to intimate us enough to write a check for 5,000 and when we got home we were to wire 25,000.00 to get started . We went to our bank and thank God they have our back. The wire wouldnt go through because it was a false transfer account #.

Finally our bank manager ( after phone calls back and forth with Ami ) our bank flat out told us they WILL NOT do the wiring ! They didnt want us in a bad situation. Thank God for our great bank. This happened about 5-6 years ago and were still mad at ourselves and felt VERY uneasy asking for our money back.

Something literally scared us about this guy and people who worked for him. We loved Costa Rica so much and now we will never return! We cant seem ti let this go because of how bizarre the whole situation was. This is the short of the story!

We still want our money back but, just dont know how to go about it.

Lets just say.. they like American people with money!

I took a discovery tour on June 29, 2019 - July 9, 2019 staying in the Mariposa. I spent many months prior working out details for a planned development under Kalia Living with Francisco Alvarado chief engineer and designer along with Alejandro ?

General Manager both of which have left the company, for the first choice to build and first right of refusal at Laguna Cove. I put $5000.00 down and met Ami the owner from Israel. To date, Ive tried so many times to contact them via email, text & phone for refund of my money which clearly states in my contact at anytime for full refund. Its been years now and I have not heard a word and demand action on this scam.

This is totally unlawful Ami and you owe me my hard earned money. Do not do business with this company!

Advertised non existent product, unfulfilled promises and boldfaced lies. Purchased home, scammed wire and credit card charges, unable to get face to face resolution, multiple foreign entities to avoid prosecution, money put purchase.

So many people scammed. Marketing led by Tiran Zaken, Amnon Dahan posed as architect, no engineer- illegal Costa Rican filings for tax and registration. Company admitted to multi million dollars in unknown loss of customer money. Each principal has many assets in development where consumers lost millions and clog the court system in CR with no resolve.

Many party to scam: Rana Saeed, Keith Dennis, Anne Juneau, M. Jan Leemans, Miriam Coll, AJ Maxwell, Michael Rivera.

And so many more. CR attorney making it all possible and owns property also Oscar Venegas.

So here it is. The rest of the story.

If you are currently building with them, considering building with them, or vacation with them, you should read this, consider it and then do what you feel is right. We all make mistakes and learn, it’s the educated mistakes that hurt the most. When you know you should have done something differently but didn’t.

I post this for your benefit, not mine. It is what it is for me.

So a settlement was offered to finish the home and fix the deficiencies and provide things not planned, like an outdoor kitchen, for those things left out (like a $35,000 grass roof).

[i]However[i], it would require signing a statement saying that the home was completed last year, done as per plans and specs, delivered and accepted and billed appropriately AND release The company and principals from all liability. Additionally, enroll in their rental program and pay 30% management fee on rentals. And then, trust they they will do what they say. Again.

He did not choose this option.

One thing that was so disturbing is the company sending out an SOS letter to homeowners but cherry picking who received it. In this letter they admitted to many of the issues I raised publicly. We managed to get a copy. They claimed to be asset rich but initiating an internal audit for their current condition.

(The COO AJ Maxwell told us in a meeting 25M is unaccounted for). If you see the size of the land they own, it’s not a mystery. There is a retiree who sent nearly his life savings living in San juanillo because he moved here and his home not even started. We aren’t not the only ones who paid for a home fully and now sit in the legal system.

Where’d the money go? Who truly knows, but for those of you who now have a home (and you are few. 13 homes in 14 years and 8 belonging to company people) your home was built with some of our money and others who are now in the court system or took the loss.

So this communication from them talks about a whole new management group so the “situation has changed”. The COO we met with was the “advisor” for them previously and at one of the meetings Jan 2019.

Not new. The CEO and also CFO (one man, Rana) and COO by his own admission on linked in and my introduction. Not new. In fact, in charge of the money and homeowner experience while Amnon Dahan ran around selling and overseeing the builds.

Tiran Zaken was the marketing guru. Their marketing is photoshopped and cad produced, especially all of the Facebook posts. If you actually visit, it is a daunting realization. Tiran and Amnon are “gone” supposedly.

Keith Dennis is head of construction, took that job BEFORE we brought our issues to light. Anne Juneau is purchasing-the one who had us order what we wanted, sent something different and freaked out when the companies we contacted could not identify it was their product. Again. Not new.

Yanin Vaquez, Not New. I even asked at one of the meetings with the COO, who is new?. He just shook his head.

So a letter blatantly misleading homeowners, asking them to not sue, not post their frustrations and experiences and give them time to use their “new management “ to turn things around.

They went on my rip-off report and denied the same things they admitted in their own board of directors communication.

They prepared a settlement pre dated and filled with false statements.

And during this Covid crisis communicated all of the responsible things they are doing and a statement saying we will keep building IF you keep sending money. What company NEEDS to say that?

So I sit and watch the building, or lack thereof and my heart goes out to those who were told their roof was being built last Christmas and now sit and watch the cement framing happen, or the one who sent $300k+ and got a dirt and rod foundation outline and 40K worth of work substantiated by a CR engineer inspection. And all of the upgrades and additions and beautification that continue at the head of constructions household sometimes late into the evening after dark and on Sundays, always workers there when MANY homes are late and waiting. And paid.

There is a finished home for sale in ruby sky that has been for sale for years. 1.9M.

It sits. In a deserted community with no amenities, but at least a gate. We have no amenities and no gate. We do however, have a guard and orange cones that we have had almost a year now and they are not at the front entrance.

But quick to stop any visitor and now spritz with hand sanitizer, thank God. We have been told by an engineering firm and now a local home builder that the house is average quality, not what it looks like from afar. Marbillino unfinished and much poor workmanship-filled with errors. Told our home is probably worth 700k-800k finished.

The company valued at 1.2M. Probably why they can’t sell.

So here are the details you need to know to protect yourself. And if they serve you please have the decency not to turn against us and make false statement to hopefully gain favor and protect yourself because when you isolate yourself by using others, you will one day find yourself in a similar situation to learn a lesson.

My time and detailed report for your benefit does just that, benefits you. The damage is done for us and has been an enduring nightmare.

This is for you.

During the lot buying process there were extreme deadlines. 1 day, 5 days and 13 days. Each corresponding decision held a monetary benefit.

During the home selection/contract process there were options to buy and upgrades for yet more quick payments and a huge discount for agreeing to a no sell for a period of 547 days and use as a “model home” for tours and such.

There was a draw schedule that reflected progress, payment timelines and building timelines. To protect the builder, no change orders were allowed (we tried.

Hard no) and to protect the buyer, a $100 per day penalty was included so the payments would be insulated by a penalty for their inability to complete the project on time.

Also, in return for initiating construction and sending funds swiftly, “free” upgrades were included which were things like a carport, pocketing mechanical blinds, Italian countertops and frills like that.

Drawings of the completed project were created and signed off by buyer and company, contracts drawn up and signed and initialed by both parties and all documentation provided to cover above details.

Engineering plans and design plans produced by local engineers and architects and purchased for a hefty price and belonging to buyer for custom home (still don’t have delivery of these plans purchased and paid for)

Construction started and lot transferred and costs paid (approx 10k for title for lot). Invoices came in according to draw schedule, and money wired where instructed (many different companies). Two charges on buyer credit card were for one night lodging, $5k and $13 k to their vacation management company. Other wires went to companies not listed on the contracts but also under the parent company Nissim Development.

Accounting was poor and getting pictures of progress was frustrating and difficult. Upon visiting the site we would question, is it even possible to get this done on time? and were always reassured yes, yes we are hiring more people, getting shipments of supplies etc. so invoices came and money wired.

We were always shown the homes that were completed. The president of company home, where Amnon lived, where Rana stayed and Tiran and his family lived and one of the investors homes which at the time we didn’t know whom they belonged to. And often got conflicting stories. One said the “Cala” belonged to Italians, one said it was a model home owned by Kalia.

Turns out it has an owner and unending problems as well. The outside retaining wall was just ripped out and redone. Roof redone many times. When we said we loved that home, Amnon shook his head and said “you DONT want that home”.

We were then sent order forms-extensive- in the latter months of 2018.

House late and frustrations rising. The office sent invoices and Amnon called and emailed saying “you owe a substantial amount still”. Although it didn’t seem possible, their accounting reflected that there was a substantial balance and we didn’t keep good records. Because the house was late, heated conversations were happening but the late fee was accumulating and my boyfriend decided at least there will be some discount for this delay, and with everything else negotiated the house was going to be a great bargain and smart return for the money and grief.

We poured over the contents of the home purchasing and selected our choices.

Afterwards Amnon said he would provide all at cost due to the delays. Following this we get an addendum with an invoice for 72k for contents! 35k was paid in contract and this was supposed to be (and documented on the addendum as) COST. So we started asking for prices.

That subject has never been resolved. In fact, in September of 2019 we came to the home to find it empty and much damage from the removal of our property including our own items. We made several attempt to contact the company regarding this but were ignored completely and still can’t get the COO even to address. We filed a report with OIJ and attorney.

Following the content order a call from the office asking for money so an email was sent and a phone call to Estelle Valverde and Amnon saying no more money will be sent until the home is done.

Our initial accounting was not revealing settling facts. So a return email from company says “your home is complete!” So another 40k was sent.

Then, we moved in January 2019. Upon arrival the home was FAR from done. We were put up in “the russians home” for a few weeks, then moved around and finally told to stay in our home while the remaining work is completed.

It stopped right there. Feb 2019. Unfinished.

In October 2019 after much legal consultation and fees we legally secured the home and possession of it by notice to the company. They put a port a potty on our lot, and dump piles of construction trash upon it.

When we arrived this year our neighbors, the head of construction, was parking in our driveway. When the car was moved, his girlfriend said oh we didn’t know you were coming. !?!? Our driveway is consistently used for parking, trash and maneuvering trucks.

No consideration whatsoever. Noise, dust and intrusion. Daily.

In Jan 2019, A meeting was called with Rana, the CFO and COO and their “advisor” AJ Maxwell, and all facts and paperwork provided including the overpayments and triple invoices and non documented payments. Every issue.

He needed to investigate and “circle back”. (Their term for I need to buy time). He came over and walked through to see all that was presented, made some remarks and said he’d get back. Time passed.

Nothing done. Told the tub would take three months from China. Would not replace with the things we ordered because can’t get them now, bolted our furnishings to the wall after we watched them do it, told them to remove, they removed, we left, they bolted back on. We took pictures and video of all of their Chinese knock off product and I contacted king look, gorge, kohler, seimans and others to verify.

Fakespot is a great resource.

After months of ghosting, ignoring, nothing being done, misleading lip service, and more we left. Disgusted. Disheartened.

I started posting my experience online and the CEO couldn’t communicate enough. He asked that I remove it and I said I would if he would finally do what he said he would in our meeting.

He didn’t and I didn’t.

Attempts made to rectify but the only communication ever received was for them. “Do you want us to rent your place out?”, at which time a “why do you change the locks?” Was given in reply with the CEO Rana saying “Danielle did that a month ago cause the maids couldn’t lock it back up”. No need to inform owner? And he goes dark.

Later presented a settlement agreement saying both parties made mistakes. I’m nope. Only the company. Buyer followed contract responsibilities to the letter, which is why overpayments exceeded 400 thousand.

Afraid they might do what they’re doing now. Refusing to finish and fix the house that is fully paid for.

Since then, settlement attempts have been made on numerous occasions and meeting with different people, a $10k refund was wired to us after a potential investor got involved and basically demanded it as good faith. But that also didn’t solve anything in the end, it actually made us more vulnerable because it simply communicated our trusted information to the powers that were battling us.

Many people have contacted me privately and I’ve been as helpful as possible and some have used my inside information to leverage themselves and then threw us under the bus. So, it’s a dicey situation.

Plus, as we have been told by the local companies we get for estimates on services and construction etc -they have a monopoly here and they will probably not give access to area as is done often in Costa Rica. KEEP THAT IN MIND PEOPLE WHEN YOU BUILD IN A DEVELOPMENT! Our attorney says calls the cops, that what everyone else does and it works. Some locals said do that too.

How fun.

The issue of criminal fraud has been filed in the court in Santa Cruz and the process is expensive and long. But there are 3 attorneys working the case and we know diligence and thoughtful and managed progress is most successful way to handle. The attorneys say

So we are here about half the year, dealing with termite infestations (wood is used under the concrete), management of the property, broken irrigation, AC units, a non functioning smart home system and other challenges.

But now, we take this on moving forward knowing there is no good intention with the company to solve the problems, just minimize their loss. We will finish our dream home and attempt to sell or live in the community as best we can.

On another note, they have created Facebook homeowner groups of less than fifty members.

I find that telling if you’ve sold 100+lots. Their google reviews are slowly revealing the truth regardless of the fact they have employee reviews, and the construction is dauntingly slow as I’m sure people are being much more careful and diligent with their money.

I will update our journey as it progresses.

Pura Vida folks. Costa Rica doesn’t deserve these parasites.

Early 2000s an architect from LA moves his "operation" to Costa Rica to cash in on the retirement and development craze. Fast forward to 2015 and a "discovery tour" and some really savvy sales and a luxury home, costing 3 and 4 times less than what you would pay for the same home in the US is purchased with a contract developed by the "company" and their "attorney" for $400,000.00 with land.

Now, there are some "stipulations" like you have to send money within 7 days, 13 days, purchase an exclusive "model", use it as a model home for future considerations, do not sell for a period of time etc. After following all of the "stiuplations" and paying more than double (due to poor accounting and lies by principals when questions asked about 'paid' invoices), 2 years late and massive errors and omissions and a furniture fraud, we are exercising our rights to pursue contract and restitution. Working with CR attorneys and the criminal process, we are finding that this company "takes advantage" by ignoring and running from their fault and continuing their massive false advertising campaign because CR doesn't have the ability to pursue and prosecute in a manner that protects foreigners. They post "fake" reviews on Google (we have employee names from email communication) and when reported to Google, they don't remove.

They use Tiran Zaken for their marketing (you'll find his scemes on pissed consumer) and Rana Saeed, CEO - the same one that failed in Dubai. Amnon Dahan who they marketed as a world renowned architect eventhough he is not in US or CR.

Our home is still not finished (they sent an email Aug, 2018 saying it was done and they posted online expat.com to another inquirerer that they delivered us a finished home last year. They also say they have tried working with us, but instead they sent a settlement dated May, 2019 saying the house was done and both sides made mistakes and said it had to be signed before a refund for overpayments would be made and house would be finished. There are contract violations of fraud in three different areas (sales price, house design and delivery and furnishings) and there are so many errors and omissions as well as structural/safety concerns (after inspected by licensed Costa Rican architect and engineer working with the courts.

They have years of false advertising showing a gated all inclusive luxury community but instead have a dirt area with a few houses in varying stages (finsihed ones mostly of employees/investors) and no gate and not one amenity.

We met in January with CEO and he said he would address all of our concerns and when we left for him to do just that, he did not follow through on one item. In fact, the locks were changed in the home so we could not have access, they told another investor we "owed" them $2400 a month for maintenance of the property for an arbitrary number of months and, again, told us in a Whatsapp that the home would be completed in August 2019. We arrived in September, 2019 to see the home and told them we were coming and because there was $35,000.00 in contract for furnishings (which they only delivered half) and they sent another bill for $72,000.00 so we questioned each price of each piece, they had all of our home contents including some of our personal items removed before we arrived. They are sleezy, lying, dishonorable, misrepresenting, bullying and fraudulant.

We are having to pay fees for inspections, official translators and three different attorneys to pursue what was clearly spelled in contract and completely paid for August, 2018 and overpaid. Their own attorney Oscar Venegas was representing the LLC of ours to hold the "stocks" of the home and not once in 3 years "advised". Found out 3 years of taxes due when obtaining Costa Rican Home insurance, and when asked for the stocks to be released because contract was paid for and overpaid, Mr. Venegas delayed months and charged $550.00 to release to our attorney.

This company still needs to fix the errors and omissions, return $447,000.00, return furnishings and personal belongings, remove the roundabout they plowed through the yard, complete the construction of the exposed belly of the house, coat the pool and jacuzzi, hook up sinks, washer and dryers, refrigerators, add outlets, fix leaking pool into living areas (wall and ceilings), put motors on windows and mechanical blinds, door to one of our apartments underneath, tub in master bathroom where there is simply the hookups and *** Add faucets, put railing on entrance stairs, finish landscaping, deliver remainder of furnishings order, build carport, cement pads in pool as well as now outlined structural/safety issues in engineering report. Or, the company can sign and follow through on our settlement presented to them and acknowledged by their client services, Yanin Vasquez, August, 2019.

Took discovery tour to Nosara Costa Rica to consider purchasing affordable luxury home in all inclusive community. Contract providing many assurances due to foreign country, investment, etc.

Get to home delivery and find not completed, many structural and design defects, contract not honored, won’t return phone calls, messages or emails, locked out of home, furnishings purchased in contract removed and threats to not complete home since pursuing legal rights and remedy’s. Company continues to place false reviews on google which google will not remove, continues to provide false information in o termed regarding community. There are no and will be no amenities, there are hidden charges for maintenance and management and when called out, return with lies about default and continue to sell as something it is not and never will be. Tiran Zaken works at this company in Costa Rica, Rana Saeed of Toronto and formerly Dubai.

Very shady sleezy company and it takes years to figure out you have been duped. Stay away from their “royal treatment” because you might get royally screwed.