A suspect is behind bars for an alleged fraud scheme involving consignment boat sales, swindling customers out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in Hall County.
Timothy Paul Schwan, 42, of Cartersville worked at Holiday Boat Sales on Lanier Islands Parkway in Buford, according to Lt. Scott Ware, Hall County Sheriff's Office spokesman.
"The incidents that we have so far date back to April 2015," said Ware.
The boat sales worked like a consignment shop, where customers would bring their boats in, and sign an agreement with Schwan, allowing him to either buy the customer's boat or sell it on their behalf.
"On numerous occasions he would sell the boats and either keep the proceeds, or write the lawful owners a bad check," said Ware.
The first known incident occurred on April 1, 2015, when Schwan allegedly took possession of a $193,000 boat, sold it for $310,000 and pocketed the proceeds.
Altogether, the five known incidents totaled $1,084,156 in stolen money.
Schwan was arrested Monday, charged with seven counts of theft by conversion, two counts of deposit account fraud and one count of theft by deception — all felonies.
More victims could be out there, Ware said.
Anyone with information, or anyone who believes they were a victim should contact Investigator Doug Matthews at the Hall County Sheriff's Office South Precinct at (770) 533-7683.
