that has affected hundreds of people across the UK

• Spanish police detained the suspected ring leader and his family for swindling
• Officers raided alleged headquarters in the city of Velez-Malaga east of Malaga
• The luxury pad boasts a pool and overlooks the beach in the coastal Spanish city
• £100,000 in cash, designer watches, gemstones, Ferrari and yacht were seized

The suspected ringleader of the Costa timeshare scam has been named as Howard Manton. The Brit expat has been offered the chance of bail after being told he would be set free from prison if he paid £17,550 (Eur20,000). His bail was initially set at five times that - but lowered after he claimed he could not afford to pay. Manton, who lives near Malaga, has been linked to bogus timeshare resale firms in the past by Spanish watchdog The Mindtimeshare Association. It was not clear last night if Manton, whose wife, son and daughter-in-law were also arrested over the alleged scam, was out on bail or not. He is part of British gang of 36 people arrested for their part in a £15million Costa del Sol timeshare scam that has affected hundreds of people across the UK.

The gang even employed fake lawyers who would contact those who were scammed to falsely offer their services to claim their money back. More than £100,000 in cash, 10 designer watches, gemstones, seven vehicles including a Ferrari and a yacht were seized in the coastal city of Velez-Malaga east of Malaga in what is understood to be the scammers' headquarters. An estimated 500 people - all Brits - have fallen victim to the scam. Spanish police announced today most of those arrested are also believed to be British.

Source: