Fier Cadastre former director arrested in property fraud investigation

The Fier Prosecutor's Office has arrested the former director of the State Cadastre Agency (ASHK) in Fier, Ertis Shehu, and a beneficiary, E. H., for their alleged involvement in a large-scale property fraud scheme. The suspects are accused of using falsified documents to illegally register six properties covering approximately 71.7 hectares in the Levan and Dërmënas areas.

Investigations reveal that the scheme involved a 2008 decision from the Agency for the Return and Compensation of Property. Despite having already received a financial compensation of 53.8 million lekë in 2018 for the same land, E. H. allegedly pursued the registration of these properties in 2023. Some of these properties were reportedly sold afterward, generating significant income.

During the operation, authorities seized 715,976 euros from a bank account belonging to E. H., along with various documents and electronic devices. A former cartographer from ASHK Fier, E. R., has been ordered to appear before judicial police. The suspects face charges including document falsification, fraud, money laundering, and abuse of office.