[dave99]

Getting more tricky

If no written contract then the only possible authority that may be thought to exist is going to verbal.
This would seem as though it willcome down to who said what to whom and who is going to be believed.

Are there any e-mails that would support that you stated that no money should be released.
What about anything that you may have e-mailed about reserving a specific apartment - this would indicate your likely (but not absolute) wish to proceed to at least the first stage.

Why did you actually pay any money - was this a request by the agent, the lawyer, or the developer.

Was the money a deposit or a reservation FEE, do you have anything that states that this payment is fully refundable if not proceeding.

Sorry for all the questions - maybe you might want to go PM if not happy to make all this too public.
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