Mönchengladbach court sentences couple for real estate fraud

The Mönchengladbach District Court has convicted a couple for fraud following a deceptive real estate transaction in Hückelhoven. The pair had occupied a 240-square-meter house for over a year without paying the full purchase price.

In April 2021, the husband negotiated a purchase price of 745,000 euros for the property in the Heinsberg district, while his wife signed the contract. The couple gained access to the keys under the pretext of needing to begin renovations, but they failed to complete the payment. The court ordered the seizure of 27,888 euros from the defendants.

The 59-year-old husband received a 22-month prison sentence, with the judge noting his prior criminal record. The 58-year-old wife was sentenced to ten months of probation. During the trial, the husband claimed he was a millionaire and blamed his bank for payment delays, while his wife denied any knowledge of fraudulent intent.