A 42-year-old Hays man was arrested by the FBI on Wednesday by FBI for his alleged role in a scam that targeted seniors.
Christopher Lang was arrested along with 44-year-old Michael Farole of Los Angeles. They two are accused of a targeting elderly individuals in a telemarketing scheme; falsely representing themselves as companies who provided advertising and other services to current or former timeshare owners.
Lang and Farole are accused of convincing victims to pay advance fees in return for services that involved selling or securing the sale or rental of their timeshares. Once initial fees were paid, the men would then call, text, and email victims attempting to obtain additional fees.
FBI officials said their investigation revealed that at least 370 elderly individuals lost over $4.5 million as a result of the fraud; using funds from their social security income, investment and retirement accounts, as well as their savings. None of the victims received the timeshare-related services or proceeds that were promised.
Farole and Lang allegedly used the money from the scheme for personal expenses and luxury items. The men face charges that include of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
