Ruthless £28m Sell My Timeshare fraud robbed elderly of savings

Ruthless £28m Sell My Timeshare fraud robbed elderly of savings

In a shocking revelation, a man from south London, known as Des, expressed his outrage at being tricked out of £14,000 by scammers he described as “scum”. This statement came to light as it was uncovered that more than 3,500 victims had fallen prey to a massive £28 million timeshare fraud. The masterminds behind this elaborate scheme were identified as Mark Rowe and his wife Nicola, both managing director and residents of Hampshire.

The couple, aged 54, funded a luxurious lifestyle by preying on vulnerable victims, many of whom were in their 70s and 80s and keen to sell their holiday properties. Des, a 73-year-old from Mitcham, shared how the substantial loss due to the scam had greatly impacted his plans for retirement, stating that the realization of being scammed was like a devastating blow.

The intricate fraud operation, dating back to 2013, is regarded as one of the most significant scams of this nature in the UK. The victims were promised enticing offers of exchanging their timeshares for “Monster Credits” that were portrayed as valuable assets for future use. However, it was revealed that these credits were essentially worthless, leaving individuals like Des struggling with the aftermath of financial losses and shattered retirement dreams.

Mark Rowe’s deceitful tactics, which involved extravagant expenses on advertising, misleading marketing materials, and fake offices, created a facade of credibility for the fraudulent scheme. As the legal proceedings unfold, Mark Rowe has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years for his role in the conspiracy. His fraudulent actions have left a trail of misery for many victims, leading to widespread financial devastation and a loss of trust in the timeshare industry

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