[1] The companies claimed to have been specialising in the construction of social housing through the Brazilian government's Minha Casa, Minha Vida programme; however, in August 2014 the Brazilian Embassy in Singapore (where Ecohouse attracted many investors) stated that the company had no relationship with the Brazilian government.

[5][6] Launched in 2007 by Anthony Armstrong Emery,[7] it offered investors 20% return on their £23,000 investments after 12 months.

[8] EcoHouse stopped selling Brazilian properties in Singapore after investors filed against the company for failing to return investment money on time.

[9][10] In August 2014, after Ecohouse closed its Singapore offices suddenly, the Brazilian Embassy there denied any relationship between the Brazilian government and Ecohouse, stating that there is "no link whatsoever" and that they "feel sorry for these investors".

[2][3][4] The Brazilian tax authorities in 2014 stated that the company had been under investigation for 8 months.