How BBC secret filming exposed a £28m timeshare fraud
1 hour ago Share Save Craig Williams BBC Scotland Share Save
The BBC films timeshare selling scheme using hidden camera
It has been described by prosecutors as one of the largest frauds of its kind in the UK. A total of 14 people have been convicted for their part in a £28m conspiracy to defraud more than 3,500 timeshare owners. The victims were desperate to get out of decades-old timeshare contracts and went looking for help. Most were aged between 60 and 80. More than 500 of them lost over £10,000, and one handed over more than £80,000. Those targeted were subjected to high-pressure sales meetings lasting up to six hours. They were left out of pocket, owning useless fake "credits" and still locked into expensive timeshare contracts they often could no longer use.
The company at the centre of the fraud was Sell My Timeshare (SMT). They took people's money to fund the owners' lavish lifestyle of private schools, millionaire mansions and private jets.
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