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Justice for the consumers who fell victim of the fraudster from the Gold Coast.

On the East coast of Australia, a Gold Coast con man who turned to deception has been jailed.  His assets collapsed and after been trailed by the police for his criminal dealings.  Sentence, six months behind bars.

Just like many other countries Australia is evolving in the timeshare industry and is challenged by many charlatans who con and trick the innocent.  Like most crooks, they target the vulnerable seeing them as easy pickings, then they pounce with their corrupted selling pitches, offering the world only to deliver devastation.

Mr Cymon Adam Fontaine aged 49, was found guilty and sentenced to four years’ imprisonment, to be suspended after six months had been served.  The sentence was delivered after he pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraud charges at the Southport District Court.

The Jury heard that Fontaine, a timeshare salesman had used and abused his position within a timeshare company and had defraud more than $105,900 (£70,000) from seven clients between the months of April and October 2013.  Within months of committing these crimes, it was claimed that he and his partner were both living in a broken-down car, which was parked outside a Gold Coast surf club.

After the collapse of his marriage and his business enterprise failing, Mr. Fontaine was finally brought to justice and jailed in 2008 after been captured for trafficking dangerous drugs.  Having previously been a con man and with a track record, he then applied to an Austrian timeshare company, this industry presumably suited him.

After his release in 2010, Fontaine claimed to have become disheartened.  However, he lived and maintained a very simple life on the Gold Coast.  With the ever-increasing strains on him he sought employment and began working for a company called Wyndham Vacation Resorts.   This is where Mr. Fontaine began to obtain funds by deception from clients, using part of the money gained, to pay for his lifestyle.  He also used some of the money he obtained, to invest in a business named ‘Pegasus’, which was later to be exposed as a “scam” investment plan.  With the money gone, no job, his home and belongings taken, Mr. Fontaine spent two years living out of his car.

The Barrister representing Fontaine, Mr. Adrian Braithwaite explained to the court that once confronted by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission officers, Fontaine freely confessed and began assisting investigators.  In a further explanation, Mr Braithwaite stated his client regretted his actions and was shameful of his actions.

The court Judge David Kent QC in his judgement said Fontaine’s co-operation had played a significant part in his time served being reduced.  “It was a breach of trust, a significant amount of money over a fairly small period of time,” and ordered Fontaine to pay compensation to his victims and to Wyndham Vacation Resorts.

 

For more information regarding this article or assistance in any other timeshare related issues please contact the TCA on 01908 881058 or email: info@TimeshareConsumerAssociation.org.uk