Breaking down multi-million dollar pool schemes can help you spot a common scam that costs Americans millions. The Sunshine State has more swimming pools than any other state in the nation. The beautiful weather makes it possible to swim year-round, and many people want the luxury of having a backyard oasis with a pool. Many reputable companies help homeowners build the pool of their dreams. However, pool schemes are a problem that has affected many homeowners. Below is more information breaking down multi-million dollar pool schemes.
Amore Pools Unfinished Pool (Source: Customer Yelp Review)
Multi-Million Dollar Pool Schemes on the Treasure Coast
In May 2024, the owner of Amore Pools received felony charges for operating a multimillion-dollar pool contracting scheme. The Indian River Court conducted a five-week trial before jurors found Chrystal Washburn guilty of numerous felony charges. The court found Washburn guilty of identity fraud, insurance fraud, money laundering, and numerous other crimes.
Her husband, Bryan Washburn, was also involved in the scheme and was found guilty of nine felony counts. The Indian River Court ordered him to pay more than $3.2 million in restitution to more than a hundred victims. Many victims live on the Treasure Coast, although the scheme also affected people in Brevard, Palm Beach, and Okeechobee counties. The recent pool scam involving Amore Pools, whose license was revoked in 2021, isn’t an isolated incident.
In 2023, a pool builder defrauded more than 100 victims on the Treasure Coast. People lost millions of dollars when they paid Pro Pool Builders, a company based in Stuart, Florida, to build a pool for them. They didn’t know the company’s owner, George Galiszewski, was a conman. Customers were promised a backyard oasis but didn’t receive a pool.
Mugshots of Chrystal & Bryan Washburn (Source: Port St. Lucie Police Department)
The company’s owner was held on a $2.5 million bond after defrauding over 100 people. Galiszewski was charged with racketeering, money laundering, first-degree grand theft, and aggravated white-collar crime. The Port St. Lucie police assistant chief Leo Niemcyzk said that the owner did not care about his victims at all and lacked remorse.
Instead of building the pools, Galiszewski used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle. He spent much of the funds on fishing gear, dining at expensive restaurants on the Treasure Coast, and traveling to exotic places like Costa Rica. The business managed to defraud people of more than $2.5 million in deposits.
Local law enforcement said about half of the pools were partially completed. However, some people were left with enormous holes in their yards, and others received no work at all. The Treasure Coast isn’t the only place in Florida to encounter a pool scheme. Other regions have faced the same issue. A Florida pool company in Orlando called Legacy Pools scammed more than 600 families. The pool company took large deposits from people, filed for bankruptcy, and then ran off with the money.
Pro Pool Builders Disgruntled Customer (Source: Google)
How Does the Scheme Work?
The pool company will first register with the state to become a registered pool and spa contractor. Many illegitimate companies will forge documents and use false credentials to work as pool contractors legally. Once the pool business has established itself in the community and begins to gain customers, it makes promises to install a pool if the customer gives them a sizeable down payment upfront. This down payment is usually thousands of dollars. The pool company may or may not start working on the pool, but if work begins, the company will fail to pay sub-contractors and not finish the job.
Later, when customers reach out to the company asking about progress or demanding a refund for the unfinished pool, the owner and employees are nowhere to be found. The phone calls are never answered and sent to voicemail. Other channels of communication will also close, leaving the customers without answers and an unfinished pool or no pool at all.
It’s Not Native to Florida
Other states have also dealt with multi-million dollar pool schemes. In Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Colorado, and other states, pool schemes have made headlines after companies failed to produce a pool after accepting large down payments from customers. In Maryland, many families were scammed by a company called Catalina Pools. Families paid thousands of dollars for a backyard paradise. Catalina Pools promised to construct dream pools. However, after months of waiting and no refund in sight, the company abruptly went out of business.
Minimize Your Risk of Falling for a Scam
There are things that people can do to minimize the risk of becoming the victim of a pool scheme. First, thoroughly investigate the company that you plan to do business with. A Google search of the company is essential and can help you gain more information about the company’s history. Due diligence can reduce the chance that you’re taking advantage of. Seek out proof of their completed work projects.
You can also research the company on the Better Business Bureau. The BBB is a nonprofit organization that handles consumer complaints about companies. A low rating with the Better Business Bureau is a red flag.
Second, don’t ignore red flags. For example, one red flag is that if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Some pool schemes lure customers with the promise of significantly discounted pool installation. Many people want to find the best deal possible, but cheaper isn’t always better.
Finally, be careful about sending large deposits to any company before work is completed. A pool scheme will request a large sum of money to begin the work. Providing large sums of money to a company before a service or product increases the risk of a scam.
If you believe you’re a pool scheme victim, it’s important to contact local law enforcement officers and file a report. Pool schemes rarely target one person. There are usually multiple victims, and police reports can help lead to prosecution and the hopeful recovery of the funds.
Scams are rampant, from card skimmers to identity theft, credit repair scams, romance scams, and lottery scams. In Florida, pool scams are another way people are defrauded. Proper precautions can protect you from falling into a multi-million-dollar pool scheme.
