A holiday complex with a colourful history is at the centre of a long-running fraud investigation.
Two weeks ago the Dyserth Falls Resort near Prestatyn was advertised for sale on the Rightmove website and was described as “a development opportunity”.
The complex, comprising a hotel, restaurant, gym and over 30 holiday lodges, closed in January, 2015, but later reopened.
A spokeswoman said the last 18 months had seen a huge surge in bookings under new managers who were investing time and money into updating the property.
It is understood police enquiries were launched following complaints from timeshare customers of the lodges.
The complex was formerly known as Graig Park Village and in 2005 Arthur Goddard, a director of the timeshare company, and sales manager Alan Hill, were both jailed for two-and-a-half years after being found guilty of defrauding 50 people of nearly £500,000.
Mold Crown Court heard customers attending presentations were put under severe pressure to sign up, the safeguards of the Timeshare Act 1992 were flouted and many people were not informed of their right to cancel the agreement.
Goddard was banned from being the director of a company for eight years and given six months to pay nearly £600,000.
Hill, who was bankrupt, was banned from being a director for five years and had a nominal £1 order made against him.
However, following the closure in January last year – said to be for health and safety reasons following a fire in one of the lodges – complaints emerged from timeshare holders throughout the country.
An action group was formed and the matter was referred to the Timeshare Consumer Association.
'Enquiries are on-going'
The complaints related to the sale of “fractional ownership” which involved the company taking over people’s other timeshares as part of their deal to buy into Dyserth Falls. Many people complained the promises were not kept and they were left with two contracts.
It is understood North Wales Police launched an inquiry under the name “Operation Nefarious” and the Serious Fraud Office and National Crime Agency also became involved.
Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies, who was approached by some angry customers, took up the matter with North Wales Police and was told in a letter in August, 2015: “It would appear that the Dyserth Falls Resort (DFR) complaints that we are in possession of may be part of a much larger national picture.”
The force spokesman said he could understand the frustration over the delay but it was a complex investigation.
“I would like to assure you that we are doing all we can in conjunction with partner agencies to progress your complaints,” said the letter.
Dr Davies said he had not heard anything recently about the investigation but would be seeking an update.
“In broader terms, we are in contact with trade bodies to see what might be realistically done in future to improve legislation covering these activities,” he said.
Spokesmen for both the Serious Fraud Office and National Crime Agency said they could not confirm or deny what investigations were being carried out but a North Wales Police spokesman said: “Our enquiries are on-going.”
Dyserth Falls Resort has been asked to comment.
see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/dyserth-falls-holiday-park-centre-11813071
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