Two local residents were among four people charged in connection with a telemarketing scheme targeting time-share owners over 55 in New Jersey, Florida and California, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
Alex Klemash, 30, of Williamstown, and Michael Lambe, 43, of Mullica Hill, appeared in March before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden. They have been charged with multiple counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney District of New Jersey.
According to charging documents, the wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud charges involve the defendants’ alleged participation in a time-share fraud scheme operated through the businesses Williams Andrews Burns LLC; Resort BnB Inc.; and Williams & Burns Inc., collectively known as WAB according to authorities.
From October 2016 through October 2020, the defendants and additional conspirators engaged in a scheme to financially enrich themselves by selling fraudulent services offered through WAB to times-share owners, according to the charging documents. Klemash and Lambe served as supervisors of WAB.
The conspirators offered to rent or buy the owners’ time shares under false and fraudulent pretenses or representations, and offered to recover monies that time-share owners had previously paid in connection with other scams, the documents said.
The conspirators obtained lists of time-share owners and their contact information, and cold-called them to pitch their various services in return for upfront fees, the charges said.
Each count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, while committing such fraud via telemarketing that victimized 10 or more people over the age of 55 can result in up to 10 years.
Selinger credited agents of the FBI Philadelphia Division, the South Jersey Resident Agency, special agents of the IRS, and agents of the U.S. Social Security Administration, among others, for the fraud investigation.
