Charles "Charlie" McElwain Arrested

[CristoRey]

Local April 28, 2025

Charles McElwain arrested for alleged role in Dominican Republic real estate scam.​

Santo Domingo.- Authorities in the Dominican Republic have arrested Charles McElwain, who faces serious charges of document forgery, use of false documents, and fraud amid a surge in real estate scams affecting both locals and foreign investors. McElwain is reportedly part of a network that used falsified documents to carry out fraudulent real estate transactions, undermining confidence in the country’s economic and tourism sectors.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office is currently working to formalize the charges, and McElwain is expected to be brought before a court soon. This case highlights growing concerns about the impact of real estate fraud on the Dominican Republic’s reputation as a safe destination for tourism and foreign investment.

Economic sectors and citizens alike are closely monitoring the case, hoping for swift judicial action that will send a strong message against criminal activities that threaten the nation’s economy and international credibility.

Source: Dominican Today

 

[CristoRey]

I met him around the time he and a Dominican partner opened Bayside (or BayCity can't remember the name) Condos, Sosua back in 2013.
Interesting character.

If what they claim is indeed true, with so much attention being paid to this problem, he's in a heap a trouble.

 

[Northern Coast Diver]

I met him around the time he and a Dominican partner opened Bayside (or BayCity can't remember the name) Condos, Sosua back in 2013.
Interesting character.

If what they claim is indeed true, with so much attention being paid to this problem, he's in a heap a trouble.

Yes BayCity condos, the old Sosua Paradise. Looks like Charlie is in a heap of trouble.

 

[Big]

I hope that loser gets 20 years

 

[windeguy]

What condos exactly in Sosua?

 

[windeguy]

Bay City Condo · Sosúa 57000, Dominican Republic

★★★★☆ · Hotel

www.google.com

 

[CristoRey]

Yes BayCity condos, the old Sosua Paradise. Looks like Charlie is in a heap of trouble.

That would be it.
A Dominican jail/ prison for someone his age can be a death sentence.

 

[Northern Coast Diver]

That would be it.
A Dominican jail/ prison for someone his age can be a death sentence.

No innocent until proven guilty here. He has been in court, against the wife of a deceased Bay City condo owner, for years now. I wonder if that problem is manifesting itself?

 

[Big]

That would be it.
A Dominican jail/ prison for someone his age can be a death sentence.

being a thief is dangerous

 

[CristoRey]

being a thief is dangerous

This fella told me was 75 years old when I met him back in 2013. No idea whether or not he was telling me the truth.
I know he had a Dominican partner back then and I wondering if that fella is jammed up as well.
Either way, if ever there were a bad time to get arrested for a real estate fraud in the DR, that time is now.

 

[Seamonkey]

I've known Charlie for many years, although I have not seen him for a long time. He never came across as a scammer or thief. Very quiet and humble guy who loved to drink red wine. He lost many rental clients because his Dominican/Puerto Rican father and son partners were scamming them. I can see him being framed for what he's being accused of. He didn't need the money, he had plenty.

 

[JD Jones]

Does he have other family here? Wife? Dependents? Good friends?

 

[CristoRey]

Does he have other family here? Wife? Dependents? Good friends?

It would make sense that he does having owned a small condo property in the heart of Sosua but I've no idea what his connections to the DR are at this point in time.

 

[Big]

Stealing from investors "both foreign and local" as indicated, requires time and planning which translates to a criminal enterprise. A thief that steals from a store is still a thief, but a thief that designs a plan to rip-off people of their savings is a lowly loser that requires significant jail time.

 

[Seamonkey]

Does he have other family here? Wife? Dependents? Good friends?

His wife passed away many years ago from what I remember. He came to the DR alone.

 

[CristoRey]

When I met him he had just arrived the DR. I don't recall him ever mentioning being married.

 

[Seamonkey]

When I met him he had just arrived the DR. I don't recall him ever mentioning being married.

He had a picture in his living room wall of him and his wife on his boat.

 

[CristoRey]

He had a picture in his living room wall of him and his wife on his boat.

Never visited his residence.
Didn't know him that well.

 

[Big]

Never visited his residence.
Didn't know him that well.

Lucky! So, you don't need to visit the thief in jail

 

[slowmo]

Lucky! So, you don't need to visit the thief in jail

You would have been a natural on a jury.