Seven charged in timeshare scam that targeted 55 and older

The Orlando Sentinel reported today that seven people were charged with scamming timeshare owners. The scam occurred between 2009 and 2011. The company name was Jams Management. It took them time to build the case but they finally got them.

The scammers contacted older timeshare owners claiming they had buyers for their timeshares. They claimed that they needed to pay the " closing costs ". This was done in a " boiler room " operation in Orlando, Florida.

The defendants are Joseph Chilson 36, Dell Jenkins 36, Antonio Martinez 43, Richard Mendez 44, Angelina Laboy Smith 37, Harold Smith 72 and Edward Warren 32. They were charged with mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. They face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

These people committed their scam from 2009 to 2011 with this company and are finally brought to justice. If you have been scammed please report the crime to the FTC at 1-877-382-4357. You might not see results for a long time but if enough people report them they will investigate.

I encourage everyone to report the scammers for a reason. It takes a long time to build a case sometimes but they can't do it unless people report the scams. Please become proactive if you have been a victim of timeshare fraud.

That's great! I hope they are convicted! Has there been any progress in the case against PRL or Point Rental Liquidators? The Redweek thread has been closed.

Hum....is there anyone else you'd like them to catch?

We were contacted by this company: Epic National Title and Settlement Services LLC 355 S. Teller Street Suite 200, Lakewood Co. 80226 Tel: (720) 636-8418 & Fax: (720) 729-0628 www.espicnationaltitlessllc.com escrow@espicnationaltitlessllc.com They offered us a great price for our unused timeshare with no negotiation, sent us a contract, etc. Then turns out they wanted some fee to get the title searched in Mexico. the fee was over $4000.00, which they wanted placed in their own escrow company. I refused. I told them get it out of the proceeds of the sale. Then I said, okay, let me pick the escrow company. They would do neither. I said, okay, I'm coming to Lakewood to meet with you. Ooops, they got another seller. Too bad for me, right? :-) Anyway, anyone else ever hear of these guys?

henryb111 wrote:

Anyway, anyone else ever hear of these guys?

I've personally never heard of anyone by this name but I've definitely heard of many companies that operate this way and they are all scams. It's very possible that they have operated under another name and then, when the authorities shut them down, they resurface under a new name and usually go after the same people they scammed under their previous alias.

The method is a well-worn one. They contact timeshare owners claiming they have buyers waiting in the wings ready to plop down a huge amount for the unit. Then, when the owner is thinking about nothing except the huge payday, they come up with some fictional fee or tax that must be paid and paid before the sale can take place. Sadly, the victims are too focused on what they are going to do with all that money, that they're not thinking rationally.

Thanks for your feedback. I really appreciate the validation. Although my better sense knew this was a scam, there was the niggling thought of the payday I might have missed by my "cynicism". (We all hate to be cynics, but unfortunately, sometimes it's just realism.) Anyway, thanks!

We have received a contract from Epic National Title and Settlement Services, LLC at the Lakewood Colorado address. We are considering seeing how far we get before the scam is uncovered. Would hate to miss out on a legitimate offer.

Janiceb37: If they are good at what they do, you wont recognize the fraud until its too late.

Depends on a scam, but id think twice. Of course if people have extra money to lose it doesn't matter, that way you can figure out yourself whether it was a scam or not.

I called our owner resort and they have had complaints on this company. Too good to be true--of course a scam. Was a nice dream for awhile.

If they ask for one cent it's a SCAM !!

I hope RHC interests as well and will be investigated. My crazy story is under Royal Holiday is a scam -topic. Rhc stole big money from me.

It really surprises me also why clubs like RHC wont resolve issues.. They should be scared of being charged one day. THEY STOLE MONEY!

Yes, they are in the process of scamming me right now. At this point, I realized it was a fake and said I wasn't interested, so they are threatening to seek legal action. I will definitely report this to the FTC this weekend. Thanks for the Heads UP.

Madelyn

henryb111 wrote:

We were contacted by this company: Epic National Title and Settlement Services LLC 355 S. Teller Street Suite 200, Lakewood Co. 80226 Tel: (720) 636-8418 & Fax: (720) 729-0628 www.espicnationaltitlessllc.com escrow@espicnationaltitlessllc.com They offered us a great price for our unused timeshare with no negotiation, sent us a contract, etc. Then turns out they wanted some fee to get the title searched in Mexico. the fee was over $4000.00, which they wanted placed in their own escrow company. I refused. I told them get it out of the proceeds of the sale. Then I said, okay, let me pick the escrow company. They would do neither. I said, okay, I'm coming to Lakewood to meet with you. Ooops, they got another seller. Too bad for me, right? :-) Anyway, anyone else ever hear of these guys?

Take a look at their location, they do not exist.

I have heard of them. I u fortunately have fallen in their trap. They gave me back some money only to ask for more. I feel like a idiot. I did research them before I started but none of this came up (esp your post) any idea if any who I can contact to report them? Thanks

henryb111 wrote:

We were contacted by this company: Epic National Title and Settlement Services LLC 355 S. Teller Street Suite 200, Lakewood Co. 80226 Tel: (720) 636-8418 & Fax: (720) 729-0628 www.espicnationaltitlessllc.com escrow@espicnationaltitlessllc.com They offered us a great price for our unused timeshare with no negotiation, sent us a contract, etc. Then turns out they wanted some fee to get the title searched in Mexico. the fee was over $4000.00, which they wanted placed in their own escrow company. I refused. I told them get it out of the proceeds of the sale. Then I said, okay, let me pick the escrow company. They would do neither. I said, okay, I'm coming to Lakewood to meet with you. Ooops, they got another seller. Too bad for me, right? :-) Anyway, anyone else ever hear of these guys?

lynnes138 wrote:

any idea if any who I can contact to report them?

The Attorney-General of the state where this company is located. This can easily be done online.

Just be careful of some of these questionable law firms or other companies that call you claiming they can get money back from the scam operation.

Thanks for the info! I will definitely contact the attorney general. Anyone else I can contact?? I was also thinking of small claims court and doing it myself. I am done with scams !!!!

lynnes138 wrote:

I will definitely contact the attorney general. Anyone else I can contact?? I was also thinking of small claims court and doing it myself. I am done with scams !!!!

Small claims court might work but it might cost you more in legal costs and time than what you are trying to recover.

I will advise you to watch out for companies contacting you claiming they can get your money back from these scams because, more often than not, they are also scams. Some of them might even be the same people who originally scammed you posing as a compassionate legal aide.