Dominic O’Reilly, director of now-defunct Eze Europe Ltd, fleeced customers into signing up for concierge lifestyle packages, which were often no use to them.
An intimidating company owner who “bullied and frightened” victims into shelling out more than £200,000 in a timeshare scam has been jailed.
Dominic O’Reilly, director of now-defunct Eze Europe Ltd, fleeced customers into signing up for concierge lifestyle packages, which were often no use to them.
The 55-year-old, of Costa Adeje, Tenerife, manipulated mainly elderly victims , with 36 paying nearly £205,000 on contracts valued at over £422,000.
The expat, previously of Larkshall Road, Highams Park, London, worked alongside his step-daughter, Stephanie O’Reilly.
The 30-year-old, of Dickens Heath, Solihull, was managing director and, alongside her step-father, the pair would invite consumers, typically existing timeshare owners, on a free mini-break, which included a presentation.
They lasted for up to eight hours and aggressive and highly manipulative sales tactics were used to encourage customers to sign up for services they did not want or need.
The pair were snared following an investigation by National Trading Standards officers working alongside investigators from Warwickshire Trading Standards.
Those investigations found that presentations to victims made false claims that existing timeshares would last in perpetuity and that huge debts would be passed onto their children unless consumers signed up to Eze services.
Many consumers reported that they felt trapped at the venue and, therefore, signed up to Eze services because they felt that it was the only way to be able to leave and return to their hotel.
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