Calgary woman ran motorhome time-share Ponzi scheme, officials allege

An alleged motorhome time-share scam has resulted in dozens of charges being laid against a Calgary woman.

Acting on a tip from Crime Stoppers, Alberta government investigators uncovered what they believe was a Ponzi scheme operated by Pamela Vanberg.

Between 2009 and 2012, several customers signed contracts with Vanberg and her businesses paying membership fees from $5,000 to $45,000 to buy time-share use of a motorhome.

But the customers allegedly didnt get access to the motorhome and most were not given refunds as promised, officials said in a written release.

Refunds that were given allegedly came from money paid by new customers, as happens in a Ponzi scheme.

Vanberg and her businesses Calgary Motorhome Inc. and Canada Motorhome Inc. face 63 charges under the Criminal Code and the Fair Trading Act.

The seven victims accounted for in the charges allegedly lost a total of $118,852.

Vanberg and her companies have also been issued a directors order under Section 157 of theFair Trading Actto stop acceptingfunds from consumers "until the business is in a position to provide the product or service specified", officials said.

Investigators think there could be more victims. They are being encouraged to contact Service Albertas Consumer Contact Centre at1-877-427-4088.

The case is scheduled to be heard in Calgary provincial court onMarch 3.