Timeshare crime podcast exposing the criminal history of timeshare launches on all major platforms

Premium 15-episode podcast series on the timeshare story launches across all major platforms

The story behind timeshare

Timeshare has existed since the early 1960s. In the UK, it became a familiar talking point thanks to reports of high-pressure sales, criminal involvement, large-scale money laundering and illegal business practices. In the 1980s and 1990s, timeshare horror stories were a staple of the national media. Books and films have also been produced.

Now, as the once-roaring European timeshare industry has died down and the so-called “glory days” fade into memory, two acclaimed media specialists have set out to record the story from the perspectives of the people who lived it.

The result is an in-depth 15-episode podcast series, told in the voices of those who played different roles in the saga. Across the episodes, listeners hear directly from the conmen, their victims, and the people working to bring fraudsters to justice.

Mike McDowell is an industry-leading radio producer, journalist and presenter whose CV includes work with major broadcasters including the BBC, CNN and Virgin Radio. He has created some of the most recognisable programmes of his generation, including The World Tonight, Business Matters and 5 Live Breakfast (which he also presented). He has worked with Chris Evans, Peter Allen, Jane Garvey and Becky Anderson, among others.

Leading podcast team

Leading journalist Eugene Costello and BBC production and presenting veteran Mike McDowell teamed up to produce this comprehensive series of interview-led episodes.

Eugene Costello has enjoyed a distinguished career in top-tier journalism, writing for titles including The Times, The Guardian, The Scotsman, Scotland on Sunday, Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, Evening Standard, Sunday World, Debonair, Halcyon, La Femme, Maxim, FHM and many more.

Eugene has also published multiple episodes of the Valencia Life podcast.

Mike McDowell is an industry-leading radio producer, journalist and presenter whose CV includes work with major broadcasters including the BBC, CNN and Virgin Radio. He has created some of the most recognisable programmes of his generation, including The World Tonight, Business Matters and 5 Live Breakfast (which he also presented). He has worked with Chris Evans, Peter Allen, Jane Garvey and Becky Anderson, among others.

Listening figures for Mike’s shows were often in excess of 200 million people.

His other work includes presenting and voiceovers for adverts and documentaries (including Animal Planet) and, fortunately for us, producing podcasts.

Available far and wide

The full series is already available on the “big three” podcast platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Podcasts.

It has also been added to Rephonic, Podcast Republic, Goodpods and Pocket Cast, among others.

“We expect the series to be extremely popular,” says Greg Wilson, CEO of European Consumer Claims, the leading claims firm that sponsored the podcasts. “Timeshare affected a huge number of people over the last quarter of a century, from the criminals and salespeople who made their fortunes to the victims who lost money to these operations.

“Even people who did not succumb to the slick sales operations will remember being endlessly harassed by touts if they holidayed on the Spanish Costas and Islas in the 80s and 90s.

“This is a fascinating, exceptionally well-produced series of interviews and a rare insight into the often criminal workings of this multi-billion-pound business.”

Have questions about timeshare?

If you have timeshare issues and need help or advice, or you’re looking for ways to exit an unfair timeshare contract, get in touch with our team at the Timeshare Advice Centre.

If you fit certain criteria, you may even be due financial compensation from your resort.