Below is a copy of an unsolicited email received by someone in Canada on May 17, 2008. The email was sent back to Belize with the question “Is this for real?”

Note the references to "the Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Mayoress of San Pedro, the Area Representative and other Ministers and Cabinet Members." Note the references to other development plans.

To the best of my knowledge, NO Environmental Impact Assessment has been published.
****

EXCLUSIVE PRE-CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITY IN BEAUTIFUL BELIZE

I am writing to announce our new development in Belize.

South Beach Belize

This exciting project has earned tremendous response in the very few weeks that the web site has been up. A luxurious gated community featuring a Casino combined with a large hotel, multiple residential properties and Villas plus commercial and recreational venues.

South Beach Belize is an opportunity for you to make profits for yourself.

I would like to talk to you about any interest that you or your friends and associates may have in the purchase of a condo, villa, residential lots, hotel, restaurants, nightclubs or other residential properties at South Beach.

Financing is available. Belize Bank has made available $200,000,000 US to support mortgages for our investors and buyers.

Check the new website http://www.southbeachbelize.com

You have the opportunity of making an immediate profit on your investment with this special introductory pre-construction program that will only be available for a limited time.

This is a once in a lifetime profit maker. You have the first choice of the pre-construction deals.

We have the support of the Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Mayoress of San Pedro, the Area Representative and other Ministers and Cabinet Members to insure the success of South Beach Belize.

We are located at the southern tip of the island (South Beach) only ten minutes by boat or fifteen minutes by road from downtown or the airport.

The project is receiving a tremendous amount of interest and we have sold several properties, Villas and Condo units already.

The location and pricing as well as the Art Deco design have created the best deal in the Caribbean. South Beach offers several thousand front feet of direct water front lots. Direct Caribbean Sea front as well as our canal system allows almost all lots to be on the water.

There is a management company to manage and promote the properties Hotels, Condos and Villas to create rental income for the owners that choose to rent their units. There are no restrictions as far as dates or the amount of time that you can use or must rent your unit. This is entirely up to you.

The introductory pricing on the original villa and condo buildings will give the first owners more than 20% to 30% in profit or appreciation in the first year alone. With the level of development increasing on the island the values will continue to climb. Property is still selling at a fraction of that on other Caribbean Islands.

With only a 10% deposit with your purchase contract, you can lock in the introductory pricing.

South Beach Belize is a secured gated community. The buildings are all of masonry construction, central air, tile , granite wood and marble floors, hardwood solid doors and cabinets, all glass fronts and concrete roofs. Architectural standards are in place to maximize value and build an art deco village atmosphere combining the many amenities to create a tremendous standard of living and vacationing.

Owners will take title with a freehold fee simple title for single family homes, Villas, lots and bungalows or strata title for condominiums. There are no restrictions pertaining to foreign ownership of real estate in Belize.

South Beach Belize is being developed by our own construction company. We have sold out our Reef Village project just north of the bridge in San Pedro and are over the half way point in construction.

We are starting construction of the first Villas and Condominiums in the next 30 days. The entire project is planned to be completed within five years and will be built in Phases. Lot buyers do not have an obligation to start construction at any particular time and may build with their own chosen contractors or have the developer build their project.

We have restaurant, retail and other commercial opportunities available. Let us know of your interest and we can discuss the possibilities.

There are several financing options available.

Please email any questions and interest in the villa, condo or lot of your choice. Only a 10% down payment is needed to buy the villas or condo of your choice.

The Directors of South Beach Development are Belizeans and are involved with the development of the country as well as South Beach.

We are involved in charity and sports projects to help advance the youth in the community. Vocational programs are being established country wide to help supply the over 1000 workers that are necessary to build and then staff and grow South Beach Belize.

We are working on infrastructure improvements for the entire island as well as South Beach. Airport, seaport, utilities, education, police and fire expansion is necessary.

The newly elected government of Belize is very in tuned with growth and expanding the economy. Several of the ministers have visited the site and we have the full support of the government for South Beach.
The future is very good and exciting. The first projects at South Beach are offering:

TIME DATED SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES

Palm Court Condominiums - Special FREE complete furnishings Package ($16,000. Value)
For purchases made between May 15th and June 15th.

The Summit Condominiums - Free two week vacation golf carts rental for the next three years
Offered to buyers before July 1st.

Investment Real Estate Lots - Free Travel package for two for seven days including airfare for
purchasers prior to June 20th. ($5000. value)

Art Deco Villas - Special FREE complete furnishings Package ($21,000.) Value)
For purchases made between May 15th and June 15th.

I am looking forward to hearing from you with your questions and comments.

Sincerely yours,

Jeff Pierce
Director
South Beach Development Ltd.
Office 011 501 226 4477 cell 011 501 620 2741
Email: [email protected]

| THE COMMUNITY | THE HOTELS | THE CONDOS | THE VILLAS | THE LOTS | CONTACT | HOME |

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So is this for real? How did they get your email address?

Somebody in Canada got the email from South Beach. She forwarded to several people in Belize.

Here is her entire email. "I just got sent this. I have no idea how they got my email! I was horrified to find, when I looked at their map, that they are planning to develop the part of Ambergris that is right next to Hol Chan! Is this for real???"

From the last "thread" that was started on "South Beach" I did not get the impression that 1) they were that involved with the community and 2) "We have the support of the Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Mayoress of San Pedro, the Area Representative and other Ministers and Cabinet Members to insure the success of South Beach Belize."

Unfortunately the message board is not always a factual board - more like a bunch of folks with different ideas and opinions - none of which actually count in the big scheme of Belizean politics and island development agencies.

Don't accept posts on this site and bet your life on them.

There is no substitute for conducting due diligence in the appropriate places.

But the reports do keep things lively!

I got the same email last week

me too

Right! Postings are not facts.

I made the first post. I know nothing about the South Beach Development except that I got a copy of an email from South Beach to someone they presumably considered a potential customer. I just posted the text of the letter (without the recipient's contact information). I would welcome FACTS.

The letter says that South Beach will begin construction within 30 days. Does anyone know the FACTS on that?

If construction is planned for the immediate future, that would imply that an EIA has been published and approved. Does anyone know the FACTS on that?

If construction is planned for the immediate future, I would guess (without knowing much about construction around here) that the area has been cleared of mangroves. Does anyone have FACTS on that?

If the area has been cleared of mangroves, does that mean that the moratorium against mangrove cutting is over? Does anyone have FACTS on that?

If construction is imminent, does that mean all permits have been issued? Does anyone have FACTS on that?

The letter claims all sorts of support from public officials. Does anyone have FACTS on that?
Etc., etc.

FACTS welcome, especially if someone can factually say it aint so. Amanda?

You could ask the developer:
Jeff Pierce
Director
South Beach Development Ltd.
Office 011 501 226 4477 cell 011 501 620 2741
Email: [email protected]

The last time I talked to the developer (in January) he promised to send a copy of the EIA when they had put the finishing touches on it.