Six arrested in Spain in timeshare claims scheme ‘scam’
Six European nationals have been arrested for their involvement in an allegedly fraudulent timeshare claims scheme based in Malaga and Alicante. The fraud squad in Zaragoza, Alicante and Malaga were involved in the investigations.
According to Spanish newspaper Europa Press, the arrests follow a lengthy police investigation which was instigated in 2013 after a Belgian timeshare owner reported that he had been scammed.
It is thought that the total amounts lost by consumers, who were predominately Dutch, German and British, is €345,000.
The following companies are believed to have been involved in the scheme:
- Valerano Sanz, active between January 2013 to June 2013
- Martinez Almansa, active between February 2013 and July 2013
- Espinosa Bermudez, active between April 2013 and August 2013
- Galans Sanz, active between January 2012 to April 2012
Spanish based consumer organisation Mindtimeshare reports that it received a number of enquiries from consumers about the companies after it posted warnings on its website about them.
Consumers who have lost money to any of the companies above can contact Mindtimeshare on customercare@mindtimeshare.com.