10 Charged in NJ With Alleged Timeshare Scheme

Ten people have been charged in New Jersey with running what federal prosecutors say was a fraudulent scheme to prey on elderly time share owners.

New Jersey's U.S. Attorney announced Thursday a 44-count superseding indictment against six people from New Jersey, two from South Carolina, one from Florida and one from Saint Thomas, The Virgin Islands. Prosecutors say the six conspired in a $3 million mail and wire fraud conspiracy involving time share mortgages.

Prosecutors say the individuals persuaded at least 225 owners that they could pay off their mortgage balances at reduced rates by mailing payments to The Vacation Ownership Group, or VO Group LLC, in Pleasantville, N.J.

Prosecutors also say those charged engaged in `bait and switch' tactics, using owners' signatures to purchase additional time shares.

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