The number of people scammed by Buyersnet Real Estate Corp. has risen and so has the dollar amount they owe their victims.
“The only difference here is that in October 2008 there were only 15 victims who came forward, now there are more than 60 [victims],” said Assemblymember Jose Peralta, who held a press conference on August 6 alongside Buyersnet victims.
Victims have lost about $1.3 million – an increase from about half a million reported last year, according to the Peralta.
Founded by Giancarlo and Ana Giuseppe in 1986, Buyersnet – a division of a bigger company, Tael Group – offered investment programs, including one called the Guaranteed Interest Option Plan that enticed investors with an annual 12 percent return. With offices throughout Queens, Buyersnet had managed to lure consumers by telling them that they could take their money or interest at any time. But when the victims tried, they couldn’t get their money back.
“My mom received statements, but when she wanted to take the money advisors told her not to,” said Alex DeJesus, who represents his mother, Sonia DeJesus.
Sonia DeJesus first learned of the program through “word of mouth” in November 2005 and decided to invest the money her grandmother had given her. Since she saw an increase, DeJesus wanted to divest her money, but advisors at Buyersnet told her to keep it invested so that she could accumulate more interest.
Buyersnet has closed all of their Queens offices since the scam came to light in last October, but none of the money has been returned to the victims.
Another victim, Dolly Velasquez reported a loss of $200,000 from her life savings. She’s nervousness about her future and that of others.
“Please, we need help from the government to speed up this situation because it is really difficult,” said Velasquez.
On behalf of the victims, Peralta has sought help from Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and District Attorney Richard Brown to bring this matter to a close.
Other victims of Buyersnet are asked to call the victim hotline at 718-458-5367.
