A legal battle is heating up in Malaga over a major residential property at the center of a high-profile investigation. The building’s owner, businessman Víctor de Aldama, is trying to sell it for a considerable sum—3.5 million euros. However, seven families who have already paid substantial deposits for future apartments are fighting the deal, fearing they could be left with nothing.
The case involves a building on La Hoz street, where 14 apartments were planned. Construction dragged on, and buyers who signed contracts long before completion never received their keys. The delays were caused not only by issues with the build itself, but also by Aldama’s arrest as he became a suspect in two high-profile cases—one involving fuel fraud and another concerning medical supply deliveries.
In October 2024, Judge Santiago Pedraz froze all assets linked to Aldama, including the disputed property. Despite this, the businessman insists the restrictions should be lifted, claiming a legitimate buyer is ready to take over the project and purchase the building as a whole. He also points to the risk of illegal occupation in the vacant apartments.
Buyers’ rights under threat
Buyers who made down payments totaling tens of thousands of euros and ordered custom kitchens have been left in limbo. Their lawyer claims this is a classic case of fraud: people paid but received neither their homes nor a refund. Some families deposited over €50,000 and now fear that if the property is sold, their rights will be overlooked.
The prosecutor’s office opposed lifting the seizure, insisting that the interests of those who have already paid for their apartments must come first. The judge separated this dispute into a separate proceeding to determine who has the priority right to the property—new potential investors or previous buyers.
Corruption trail and new allegations
Aldama’s story is about more than just a real estate dispute. In early 2024, his name surfaced in connection with contracts from the Ministry of Transport and the supply of medical masks. He was later detained in a fraud case involving fuel worth more than €230 million. After spending several weeks in pre-trial detention, he testified and named well-known politicians and officials, including a former minister and his advisers.
The fate of the disputed building now depends on the court’s decision. If the freeze is lifted, the property may be sold to a new owner, leaving the families who invested their money at risk of losing both their homes and their savings. In the near future, the board of the National Judicial Chamber is expected to deliver a verdict that will determine not only the future of this building, but also the lives of dozens of people caught up in this complicated scheme.
