More suspects in Wadi Musa ‘land sale fraud’ detained

AMMAN — The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) prosecutor general on Monday ordered the detention of Azmi Nasrat and his brother Ismael pending investigation into alleged land sale fraud.

An ACC source told the Jordan News Agency, Petra, that the two brothers were arrested on Sunday night in Amman’s Um Nuwara neighbourhood, adding that the investigation has also started with another merchant called Bahjat Hammadin who was apprehended at noon on Monday.

Azmi’s father and two other brothers, in addition to Ismael, along with other traders are detained pending further investigation into the case, Petra added.

Investigation is also under way with merchant Mabruk Shamasin and one of his brokers, Petra said, adding that more than JD42 million and 700 vehicles, as well as real estate and several plots of land have been retrieved in the case so far.

The ACC began investigating the issue last year based on a letter from the anti-money laundering unit and media reports on individuals who allegedly conned Wadi Musa residents into giving them substantial amounts of money to implement fraudulent investments.

Last year, several Wadi Musa residents who say they were conned by the suspects held protests to urge government action in the case.