At least 24 condominiums in Playa del Carmen have allegedly been victims of a fraud perpetrated by Federico Miguel Manelli, an Argentinian national, who worked as a property manager through the company MAFE Administración S. de R.L. de C.V., based in this city.
According to testimonies from those affected, Manelli disappeared in the early hours of Friday, February 28, reportedly leaving his residence around 3:00 a.m. Hours later, at 7:24 a.m., he boarded Copa Airlines flight 317 bound for Panama.
According to the victims, the alleged fraudster offered residents and condominiums discounts of up to 10 percent on maintenance fees in exchange for advance payments equivalent to a full year’s worth of fees. The scheme, which apparently gained the trust of those affected, resulted in the loss of a substantial sum that could amount to several million pesos.
In at least one of the affected condominiums, Manelli allegedly presented an investment proposal for 1.7 million pesos for the construction of a gym and the installation of solar panels. It is unknown exactly what portion of that sum he managed to raise before fleeing.
The case has been filed with the Quintana Roo State Attorney General’s Office under investigation file number AP/2026/02/2341.
Authorities and victims are urging the public not to make any further deposits to accounts associated with MAFE Administración or Federico Manelli under any circumstances.
Those who have been victims or have relevant information about the whereabouts of the alleged fraudster or the destination of the funds can join the community of affected individuals through the following channels:
No transfer of ownership or assignment of rights by MaFe Administración has been publicly accredited before any authority. All affected condominiums are strongly advised to refrain from making any deposits under these conditions and to consult with a lawyer immediately before making any decisions.
This alert applies to each and every one of the condominiums that were allegedly under the management of MaFe Administración:
Arbela
Bambú
Bonia
Catario
Zafiro
Specta
Believe
Central Park
DEVA
Hacienda San Pedro
Midtown 2
Soul 2
Vía Tendenza
We Living
Farallón de Seboruco
Farallón de Honduras
Cantil de California
Cantil de Labrador
Caracoles
Falco in Real Ibiza
Parque Residencial (Villamar 1)
Cuartilla 75 (Colonia Ejido)
Selvamar (Uva del Mar)
Velamar (Mar de Coral)
Profile of the alleged fraudster
Federico Miguel Manelli, an Argentine national, is listed as the Sole Manager of MAFE Administración S. de R.L. C.V., a company incorporated on June 8, 2021, before Notary Public No. 82 of the state of Quintana Roo, with its primary declared activity being the administration of condominiums, residential complexes, shopping centers, and buildings.
This newsroom attempted to contact Mr. Federico Miguel Manelli to obtain his version of events, but received no response by the time of publication.
This newsroom will continue to follow the development of the investigation. If you have additional information, please contact our newsroom or join the aforementioned WhatsApp group.
Source: quintafuerza
