Police arrested (from left) 19-year-old Dominion Crupi and 26-year-old Michael Malgesini on charges of unlicensed telemarketing and scheme to defraud. Suspected employee 27-year-old Julie Spencer was arrested on an out-of-county warrant involving a misdemeanor traffic violation. Steven Svopa, 23, was charged with driving with a suspended license. (Orlando Police Department / February 3, 2011)
The raid happened in an office building on Hiawassee Boulevard in the MetroWest area. Police say the suite targeted was being used as a so-called "boiler room," where telemarketers cold-called timeshare owners from illegally obtained lists, claiming to have a buyer for their vacation property.
"They were given a hard-sell," said Sgt. Amy Ameye, of the city's economic crimes unit. "They were told, 'If you send money… we will get the paperwork going, we will get your timeshare sold for you ASAP.'"
However, investigators say there were never any buyers. Instead, they say the telemarketers were pocketing up-front fees and offering no service in return.
"Once that money is sent, however it's sent, you never hear from these people again," Ameye said.
The raid happened in an office building on Hiawassee Boulevard in the MetroWest area. Police say the suite targeted was being used as a so-called "boiler room," where telemarketers cold-called timeshare owners from illegally obtained lists, claiming to have a buyer for their vacation property.
"They were given a hard-sell," said Sgt. Amy Ameye, of the city's economic crimes unit. "They were told, 'If you send money… we will get the paperwork going, we will get your timeshare sold for you ASAP.'"
However, investigators say there were never any buyers. Instead, they say the telemarketers were pocketing up-front fees and offering no service in return.
"Once that money is sent, however it's sent, you never hear from these people again," Ameye said.
No comments:
Post a Comment