Concerns
KwikChex has received multiple reports of cold calling activity from a timeshare scam operation called Muca Asesores.
These cold callers make contact via telephone, often starting with a lie that they are only calling to offer an update regarding a court case in Spain against Monster, Club Class or another timeshare related company that has ceased trading.
What can initially appear to be a simple informative call quickly takes a turn when they start to ask about any previous claims the consumer may have made and if they were successful. Whatever they are told, these fraudsters will insist that the consumer is still entitled to significant compensation, and that they can assist with this.
It must be stressed here that the fraudsters operating Muca Asesores have access to data including client numbers, contract information and contact details that have been illegally acquired – that’s how they know who to contact in the first place.
From then on, it’s all about getting the consumer to keep paying for various lawyers and court fees that may seem relatively insignificant but soon add up. From speaking with consumers, one thing is clear – no money is ever reclaimed.
Contact information
The following contact information is provided on the Muca Asesores website.
Business Address: Calle de Velazquez 27, Madrid 28001, Madrid, España
Phone Number: +34 919 493 799
Email Addresses: contact@mucaasesores.com, info@mucaasesores.com
The website
Muca Asesores operates a website with the address https://www.mucaasesores.es/, which appears to have been active since the 9th March 2022.
Despite being a business with a Spanish name, the website is only offered in the English language and seems to be solely targeting English speaking timeshare owners.
The ‘testimonials’ displayed on their website cannot be called testimonials at all, just a list of names that are nothing more than ‘Mr B’ and ‘Mr H’ – that’s not a testimonial and any professional would understand that.
During the course of our investigations, it became apparent that the Muca Asesores website uses the same layout, style and often the same text as several other related websites, including https://www.inconel.es/ and https://jmasesores.site/.
If there was a list of indicators for a scam operation, the Muca Asesores website ticks them all.
Registered company
Muca Asesores SL is a company registered in Spain with the following details.
Spanish Company Number (CIF): B67836403
Registered Name: Muca Asesores SL
Registered Address: Calle Velazquez, 27, 28001, Madrid, Madrid
Directors: Calle Guden Daniel Ernesto (Administrador Unico 11/06/2024 – current)
Muñoz Cañas Jose Miguel (Socio Unico 13/12/21 – current, Administrador Unico 13/12/21 – 11/06/24)
Incorporation Date: 26/11/21
Nature of Business: The provision of advertising, public relations, direct marketing, promotion of advertising sales, gifts and advertising claims. Accept, perform and execute commissions, representations and commissions of trust and any acts that involve management in the name and interest of a third party.
View the company details here.
Associated businesses
The owners of Muca Asesores share directorships of many other fraudulent timeshare claims businesses, including:
- Fastline Legal Services SL
- Greenges 2005 SL
- Inconel Administration SL
- Incovex Consulting SL
- JM Muñoz Asesoria Juridica SL (also known as JM Asesores)
- Litigation Services SL
- O1C Leisure and Legal Solutions SL (also known as Our One Club)
- Platinum Services and Administration SL
- Rapid Reclaims SL
A Network of scammers
Muca Asesores is only a part of a widespread network of fraudulent timeshare claims businesses registered and operating in Spain. As you have read above, the owners of Muca Asesores share directorships of multiple timeshare claims businesses that are known for cold calling, taking payments and failing to deliver on the recompense promised to consumers.
It’s unfortunate that this con artist collective doesn’t end with the aforementioned companies – our ongoing investigations are already uncovering other linked businesses. This is an entire ocean of deceit, and our article only skims the surface. If you follow the trickle of information from one company to another, it becomes clear that these people and their associates have been operating for more than twenty years, regularly opening new businesses when older ones have been exposed. And it may not just be Spain playing host – they may also be situated in the UK.
Consumer reports
Even the briefest search online will display numerous people questioning the legitimacy of these companies and hundreds more reporting unsolicited calls from their ‘claims advisors’, of which there seem to be many – or more likely a handful of people using dozens of fake names to hide their real identities.
KwikChex has compiled a list of names used by their cold callers:
- Alison (Allison) Jordan
- Alison Kennedy
- Amber Sinclair
- Amelia Reynolds
- Amanda Cross
- Ana Segal
- Brigid O’Sullivan
- Caroline Clark
- Cathy (Kathy) McDonald (Macdonald)
- Catriona Hannington
- Clair
- Daniel Calle
- David
- Dawn Taylor
- Deborah Ryder
- Donna Smyth
- Edith Summer
- Edward Lewis (Louis)
- Edward Simpson
- Emma Jayne Kiernan
- Erica (Erika) Mole (Moles)
- Gemma Jones
- Gerald Sinclair
- Helen Saunderson
- Jackie Adams
- Jason Miller
- Jessica White
- Jorge de la Mata Perez
- Lisa Brooks
- Lisa Grant
- Lorraine Hunter
- Louise Elliot
- Lucy
- Melinda D’Arcy
- Michael Cardigan
- Natasha Godwin (Goodwin)
- Nicola Kennard
- Olivia Sanders (Saunders)
- Pamela Gibson
- Peter Maitland
- Rachael Hayward
- Rebecca Lawrence
- Samantha Lee
- Sandra Adams
- Sheila Hampton
- Shona McIntyre
- Spencer Fairchild
- Stewart Newman
- Victoria Carrington
- Victoria White
- William Collins
- Zoe Philips
The above cold callers have also claimed to be working with two lawyers:
- Jose Lara Cabello
- Maria Del Carmen Rodriguez Mañas
We have not been able to verify if this is true.
Unprotected payments
These companies accept payment via a payment gateway that makes recovery of funds very difficult, if not impossible. Consumers may believe they are protected if they pay by credit card, as is usually the case, but there is a grey area surrounding third party payment gateways. This is something that many consumers continue to be unaware of.
FCA warnings
Muca Asesores and their associated businesses are not registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and as such are not authorised to offer, promote or sell financial services or products in the UK.
The FCA has issued a number of warnings for linked businesses, including:
- O1C Leisure and Legal Solutions is the subject of an official warning by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Details available here.
- Fastline Legal Services is the subject of an official warning by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Details available here.
These businesses are not regulated in terms of acting on behalf of consumers in regulated activities, such as making claims under the Consumer Credit Act or legal representation in court. It is therefore advisable to seek information in writing from them as to what precise process will be undertaken for the fees and what regulated persons or businesses would act as representatives where this is legally necessary.
We recommend that only regulated businesses be engaged with for legal and claims services – and that even when a business is regulated, they are asked to provide a written, detailed viability report prior to entering into any contract or paying any monies.
In the media
Tony Hetherington of The Financial Mail on Sunday wrote an illuminating article about the linked business O1C Leisure and Legal Solutions. We would encourage everyone to read it here.
What can be done?
Consumers should ignore all communication from Muca Asesores. Do not send them any paperwork and refuse to pay any further money for their purported services.
If you paid by credit card, you can contact your bank and explain the situation. A Section 75 claim may be possible; however, due to the nature of the payment systems these companies use, it may not be successful.
You can also report any activity with these companies to KwikChex. We will be happy to assist in any way that we can.
Click here to contact KwikChex.
