NEWS
LOTTERY SCAM: ARRESTS MADE
January 11, 2008
The Spanish news agency EFE reports three Nigerian men were arrested in Costa del Sol after police officers searched their vehicle and found around 1000 fake "Lottery wins" certificates. Victims are forced to purchase fake lottery tickets before they exchange or resale their timeshare property. Next, victims are asked to send money in order to cash the "prize". For more information view the Warnings in this web site.
OPERATION TRAFALGAR: TIMESHARE RACKET ENDS
May 27, 2006
Daily Mail (UK) reports Spain´s National Police arrested four Britons in connection with massive timeshare frauds since the year 2000. Malcom David Kennedy, 32; Willy Smieja, 44; Steven Stewart Ross, 53; and Rupert Quentin Marshall, 37; have made up to 18 million Euros and claimed up to 15,000 victims. EFE and Spain´s TV networks report that the four individuals are the main heads of a group engaged in VAT-IVA scams, money-back scams, and legal services scams (paying money to a lawyer, recommended by "real estate companies", to sort out the problem). Over the years the individuals used 300 names of companies for such activities. They are responsible for more than 90 per cent of all the frauds carried out in the British timeshare market. They are also responsible for abusive labor practices and for not paying the salaries of the hired staff. Police confiscated hundreds of documents and computer equipment.
CREDIT CARD PROTECTION FOR CONSUMERS
March 22, 2006
The Office of Fair Trading (UK) won a legal case that will make banks and other credit card companies liable for goods and services purchased outside the United Kingdom. Currently companies are legally required to make refunds where a seller fails to deliver on a card purchase. But the banks insisted this protection should be applicable only to the UK. However, three High Court Judges have supported the OFT and consumers in deciding the protection should apply to credit card purchases from any country in the world.
SCAMS BUSTED
February 10, 2006
Spain´s National Police closed down five companies for "IVA+ Tax", "Notary fee" and "money back" scams. Maritimo Marketing SL, Servicios Fuengirola 2002 SL (Fuengirola Services 2002 / Fuengirola 2000 SL), and Key Properties Town Advisory S.L.U (branch of Servicios Fuengirola 2002 SL) were the largest. Over 30 individuals taken under police custody. 20 computers and sets of forged documents were confiscated.
POLICE CRACKS DOWN TIMESHARE FRAUD
August 10, 2005
Spain´s National Police arrested 12 individuals involved in Timeshare fraud in Fuengirola (Spain). They charged 1400 Euros for IVA in Timeshare sales. The IVA money went to the gang´s bank accounts, not to the government.
OPERATION LAYLA
May 30, 2005
Spain´s National Police launched "operation Layla" against frauds in the purchase, sale, and resale of real estate property in Costa del Sol (Spain). A gang of money launderers engaged in drug trafficking was captured, and certain law firms involved were closed down. The gang was buying up large properties in the Marbella and Puerto Banus areas, and then doing "reselling" for extremely high prices. The "legal" cover was handled by established Marbella law firms. Plots of land, ranches, villas, holiday resorts, and an office building worth 10.5 million Euros were seized by Spanish authorities.
TONY ALEXANDER KING: TIMESHARE MANAGER
September 19, 2003
Tony Alexander King, a former manager of Timeshare Resorts, was arrested by the Spanish police under charges of rapes and murders of young girls in Costa del Sol, Spain. Alexander King (aka Tony Bromwich) elected "the Hunk of the Month" by EuroNews and Sur in English, is a kind of "celebrity" in "the Chicken Shack", a timeshare hang out.
POLICE
CRACKS DOWN SCAM COMPANIES: OPERATION
HERO
Gibraltar (UK), July 12, 2002
TC.- The Royal Gibraltar Police carried out raids at a local financial company and a timeshare company at Alcon Holdings in Watergardens.
The operation, code named "Hero", closed down the business practices of a company established in Gibraltar in February. The investigations center on Conspiracy to Defraud.
Numerous documents, computer hardware and software were seized.
THE "HELPFUL" CON MAN
Spain, May 3, 2002
Diario Sur and the EP news agency report that a 37 year old Englishman has been arrested by the Malaga Police for conning timeshare owners.
R.B.´s swindle involved offering people the opportunity to sell their timeshare property in exchange for 1000 English pounds. Then came the second part of the scam: he phoned his victims again asking for 330 Euros to help them take the "original" swindlers to court with the aid of some "lawyers".
EP agency points out that RB is a well known individual who goes by the name of "Gordon", in charge of the CONECTESE "company" and other criminal organizations affiliated to the OTE and the TCA. According to police sources, now RB is "singing the big song".
For more information view the Warnings in this web site.
20 "COMPANIES" CLOSED DOWN
Spain, March 23, 2002
The Spanish newspaper "Diario SUR" reports that detectives from Spain´s National Police have been investigating cases of timeshare fraud in Marbella and the Costa del Sol. At least 20 fraudulent "companies" are now closed down. Judge Rosa Fernandez is following the successful police operation.
Europa Press also reports that the police investigation led to the arrest of some 50 individuals.
They offered their legal services through "solicitors" in Marbella to help report frauds and get "money back" (please view the WARNINGS in this web site).
Certain sources report that some scam operators are moving to Gibraltar and Portugal.
--------------------------------------