Timeshare marketing businessman Ismail Mudaidat was a convicted killer

ISMAIL Muhaidat turned Karen Lindley’s holiday voucher refund request into an upsell. She calls him a “silver-tongued devil” — he’s a convicted killer.

EXCLUSIVE: A timeshare marketing business which claims to have sent 70,000 Australians on “promotional holidays” — and was run by a convicted killer — has been found to have engaged in false or misleading conduct.

Sydney woman Karen Lindley contacted Eltham, Victoria-based Destinations R Us (DRU) last year seeking the return of $198 for accommodation vouchers she had been unable to redeem.

But Destinations R Us GM Ismail Muhaidat managed to convince her to pay $800 more.

“He’s a silver-tongued devil,” Ms Lindley told Public Defender this week.

Devil indeed. In 2006, Muhaidat was sentenced to a minimum five years’ jail for manslaughter, aggravated burglary and attempted armed robbery. With two others he tried to steal a cannabis crop. In the process, one of his accomplices shot and killed the crop owner.

Ismail Muhaidat, who was convicted of manslaughter in 2006, later became general manager at Destinations R Us. Source: Facebook

Last month the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal found the company behind DRU, Cedar Club Operations, had engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct — as defined by the Australian Consumer Law — by failing to disclose its full terms and conditions to Ms Lindley before she bought the vouchers.

The Tribunal ordered Cedar pay Ms Lindley more than $1000. The deadline has passed and she’s received nothing. It’s doubtful she ever will.

In about 2006, Sydney man Mark Seeto paid $350 for accommodation vouchers. He ended up taking Cedar to court in Victoria. He won and engaged the state’s sheriff to settle the court’s order that he be compensated $900, reflecting his legal and other costs. But Mr Seeto said that twice the Sheriff was unable to extract anything from the company.

Cedar’s sole director Malcolm Ford said he had not seen the Tribunal order.

“The only reason she (Ms Lindley) has been granted the [order for] monies is that I did not show up” to the hearing, Mr Ford said.

He said he would appeal the decision and that Muhaidat, who had been with the business for three years, “no longer works with us”.

Malcolm Ford, director of Cedar Club Operations, which trades as Destinations R Us. Source: www.malcolmford.net

Muhaidat was “liked and respected by his work colleagues and as far as I am concerned he ... paid his dues”, Mr Ford added.

Consumer Affairs Victoria director Claire Noone told News Corp Australia that Cedar had been placed in liquidation on Monday. Mr Ford would not comment on this.

“Those affected (should) make contact with the liquidator” Dye & Co, Dr Noone said.