HOLIDAY
PROPERTY STING
A lot of people who thought
they were flying off on Continental trips were very disappointed.
It's not known how many were
duped by a successful scam.
And what’s worse –
this is not the first time the victims have been conned into parting
with their cash.
The story begins three years
ago when MCKSIM Marketing, Dublin invited people to holiday presentations,
with the promise of visiting property abroad to view it.
Many people at that time put
down deposits of up to £50 - money that disappeared into thin
air.
Then in January 2001 people
who’d lost money in this way, got another letter from Global
Horizons with an address in Merville Garden Village, Belfast:-
"It is with great delight
that at long last we are able to contact your goodselves with the
view to fulfilling an obligation that was made to you by MCKSIM
Marketing formerly trading at 8/9 Cooldriona Court, Swords, Dublin,
some time ago.
"The delay in contacting
you was due to legal technicalities which unfortunately arose when
MCKSIM Marketing ceased trading.
"We, Global Horizons on
the 05 December 1998 agreed with MCKSIM Marketing to transfer their
clients to ourselves in order to facilitate their Holiday Award.
"On signature of this
agreement, copies of which were served on the Director of Consumer
Affairs and the Garda Siochana, Swords, Dublin to acknowledge our
commitment to MCKSIM Marketing and their clients.
"The obligation entered
into by ourselves and MCKSIM Marketing is clearly defined in this
Agreement.
"No Administration Fee
is required, as you have already paid MCKSIM Marketing some time
ago."
That’s the letter that
Mr Jones received and he fell yet again for the scam, and sent them
more money - £442!
With a reservation form for
flights to Tenerife.
And Global Horizons wrote again
confirming his requirements and the accommodation - "a luxurious
two bedroom apartment, fully furnished and equipped to the highest
standard located above the town of Los Cristianos, Tenerife"
And they sent a detailed travel
itinerary.
Trading Standards Officer Jimmy
Hughes, visited Global Horizons address in Merville Garden Village,
and there is no sign of them. He said On Your Behalf :-
"This is a real
‘sting’ - the person behind this seems to have done
a complete runner. It seems to have been a very effective scam and
the actual harm is about to become clear when people don’t
get their tickets"
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