Round Town News

BACK IN November RTN reported on an alleged scam by a company called Owners International S.L. who had persuaded dozens of couples to invest in several projects that have since failed to materialise. As a result of that article, more than 30 couples contacted the paper; all of whom had fallen victim to the same scam. Last week, yet another couple came forward after their promised dividends were not paid and they were unable to contact the company.

The couple, who do not wish to be named, are Norwegian and live in La Siesta. They were approached to go on the ‘blanket trip’ in May 2010 at a local market. They thought that a trip to Cartagena and a free lunch would be a nice day out but like so many others, they never got there!

HUNGRY
The couple were taken to the Owners International office in San Javier and instead of having their promised free lunch, were made to stay there for seven hours! “We were only offered a coffee during that whole time,” commented the couple. “They kept us there to persuade us to invest in a fractional purchase of an apartment in Terrazas de la Torre Golf.”
And after seven hours sat in an office, starving hungry, the salesman was onto a winner and the couple invested more than 16,000€. “We got so tired in the end and just agreed to invest. They were very persuasive. It was like they kidnapped us and wouldn’t let us go until we paid our ransom!”

CONTRACT
The couple agreed to invest in a 1/17 fractional interest in an apartment at the complex, but they have no right of use or occupancy as the property is owned by Owners International S.L. The contract, written in English and so is illegal in Spain and not worth the paper it is written on, states that the couple “will be required to rent any desired accommodation periods directly from a management company.” That company was called Fractional Management Services S.L. and like Owners International, RTN has tried to contact them on numerous occasions for a statement, without success.

STUPID
“We never heard from them after we invested,” added the couple, “and were sent the share certificates via the post.” The share certificates, like all the others, bare the names of Terry and Claire Cheshire, and once again, RTN has tried in vain to contact them both. “We feel so stupid,” the couple told RTN, “we just want our money back.” If Terry, Claire or anyone involved in Owners International S.L. would like to speak to RTN, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and she will be happy to hear your side of the story. If you too have been affected by this scam, please email Louise at the same address.