Serientäter Frank Madden zu 40 Monaten Freiheitsstrafe verurteilt

Francis (Frank) Madden was yesterday (Tuesday 01 May) sentenced to 40 months imprisonment for scamming consumers in a supposed holiday discount scheme.

The sentence was handed down after he changed his plea to guilty on reduced charges.

Madden was previously convicted on two occasions and was actually under a suspended sentence when KwikChex detected him involved in the same activities again. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/news/article-3094117/Investigators-suspect-fraudster-targeting-elderly-scams-incredibly-say-t-afford-prosecute-savage-cuts.

After luring people in to meetings with thousands of cold calls, he pressured his victims, many of whom were elderly, into parting with large sums of money, telling them they would enjoy fantastic holidays in return – but there was no substance at all – holidays were hardly ever available and people had to pay big supplements if they did want to go on trips.

In 2012 he was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for 24 months after admitting eight counts of unfair trading. The offences related to the company Hotweeks. Victims then were conned out of up to £2,000 to get discounts on accommodation, flights and cruises.

We are very pleased that justice hast been done, having reported Madden’s latest activities to Trading Standards and provided evidence, and a witness statement. The persistence of Trading standards Officers, should be recognised in achieving this result.

His co-defendant Claire Garland, admitted two counts of failing to provide cancellation rights, and was sentenced to a 12 month conditional discharge after it was accepted that Madden had used her as a ‘puppet’ and she had been left in considerable debt by his criminal activities.

Madden’s conviction comes hard on the heels of those of father and daughter Dominic and Stephanie O’Reilly of EZE Group, who pleaded guilty in November to offences relating to the selling of another bogus holiday-based product known as ‘Leisure Credits’. They are currently awaiting sentencing. Again, KwikChex as part of our Trading Standards Approved  Timeshare Task Force activities, provided evidence and a witness statement to Trading Standards.

If you believe you have been affected by a scam you can report it to KwikChex: https://kwikchex.com/consumers/