Police investigate Eastbourne letting agent for fraud

Police are investigating after an Eastbourne letting agency suddenly closed its doors.

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Michael Duke, the director of Dukes Lettings SUS-160803-151913001Michael Duke, the director of Dukes Lettings SUS-160803-151913001
Michael Duke, the director of Dukes Lettings SUS-160803-151913001

The company, Dukes Letting Department, based in Meads, announced it would no longer be operating a letting and management service with immediate effect on February 17.

In a statement on the company’s website, director Michael Duke said, “We are formally closing the company and each client and tenant will be contacted individually to process each tenancy.”

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A Sussex Police spokesman told the Herald, “Police were called at around 12.50pm on Monday (February 22) to a report a lettings agency was suspected of acting fraudulently.

“Officers are investigating.”

Since the lettings agency closed its doors, several landlords and tenants have contacted the Herald with concerns over what they call “unpaid rent and missing deposit money”.

They say they are owed more than £10,000 between them.

Michael Duke said, “It’s very regrettable that I have been forced to close an established and proud business, since 2003, and we are taking advice on how to find an amicable solution for all parties involved.”

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