Telemarketing Timeshare Scammer Pleads Guilty!

A man from Florida has pleaded Blameworthy to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and could  face up to 20 years behind bars.

The telemarketing scam, largely targeted Spanish speaking victims throughout the U.S who wanted to sell their timeshare properties. Jamie Frieri 49, has plead guilty to commit wire fraud and could face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

According to court documents, Frieri, operated the scam from 2014 to 2018. He conspired with another individual to take money from mainly Spanish-speaking victims throughout the United States. His victims were desperate to sell their timeshare properties and he unlawfully acquired their information through lists from legitimate timeshare advertising telemarketing companies.

The two men would cold-call timeshare owners and falsely claim to have buyers ready to purchase their timeshares. They claimed to be able to facilitate a sale once various fees were made to the company to cover legal expenses and taxes. Once the victims agreed to pay the bogus fees, the conspirators directed them to send money in a variety of ways, making payments difficult to trace or recuperate.

The two men repeatedly targeted their victims through the company name of Imperial Getaways. They would deceitfully advise victims that additional fees were needed in order to complete the sale. They continued to dupe the victims into sending bogus fees until the victims either ran out of money or became aware of the scam. Frieri is due to be sentenced in the coming months.

People who enter into Timeshare agreements often find it difficult to keep up with the mounting maintenance fees and simply cannot afford it any longer. They may also find that the Timeshare no longer suits their needs and simply want to end the contract. There are too many individuals who are willing to take advantage of Timeshare owners and offer fake products, along with Timeshare exit schemes. Before agreeing to any Timeshare termination or exit procedure with an individual or company, seek independent advise and fully research any company you are thinking of working with.

It is also important to remember that purchasing a Timeshare should NEVER be viewed as a financial investment. Timeshare is an investment in lifestyle, in future holidays and family time together. There is almost no resale value to a Timeshare.

The mis-selling of holiday products is, unfortunately, common practice within the holiday industry and these type of crimes often go unreported by the most vulnerable in our society and criminal convictions are few and far between.

If you have purchased a Lifestyle / Concierge Service, a Timeshare or a ‘Holiday Points’ based product from a resort or company and feel unhappy with the service, or feel you have been mis-sold this product, please get in touch with us to discuss how we may be able to help you with a possible Timeshare Termination.