Jen Shah’s Victim Impact letters Detail ‘Everyday Struggle’ After Fraud Scheme ‘Turned our Lives Upside Down’
A widow, a Vietnam War vet and a man who claim they were driven to homelessness. Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Star Jen Shah‘s admitted financial crimes When she is sentenced next Wednesday, we are simply asking: “Let the punishment match the crime.”
PEOPLE obtained court documents from victims that detailed the consequences of the incident. RHOSLC star’s actions as part of a controversial telemarketing fraud scheme that — as Shah herself acknowledged when she entered her guilty plea in July — knowingly involved many people “over the age of 55.”
Shah’s lawyer did not respond immediately to PEOPLE’s request regarding the victim impact statements.
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One year and a bit into a “exhausted,” overwhelmed, and frustrated widow’s grieving process, she found an email that offered a solution. The services offered were for a tutoring program for a salaried position in sales. It was initially a dream job that she thought would help her secure her future, but it quickly became a nightmare.
She wrote that she had to pay thousands of dollars and noted how tutors who helped her through the program “charged a different amount.” Although she could not keep up with the pace and was not confident enough to move forward, she found out that the “e-services tried to set me up a business on a website” and she was being “snowballed.”
She experienced depression and was afraid it would make her suicidal.
“Your sanity, confidence, and independence are all in doubt. You can’t trust anyone. In one document, she stated that you are different from the person you were before this event. “Whoever these telemarketers may be, they should stop stealing money and repay the stolen funds. They should also perform acts of restitution such as living like we are and doing what we can with the resources that we have. And paying for medical services such as therapy and psychiatric medication.
She added, “The mental anxiety is still with me today, and I still harbor the guilt from being so vulnerable, easy prey to these sharks. I don’t want anyone to experience the same mental anxiety as mine. What is normal? I don’t know. Let the punishment suit the crime. Replacing what you took and correcting the consequences of the action.
Chris Haston/Bravo via Getty
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A retired senior of 75 years sent a letter asking for justice on behalf not only him but also “the many other seniors who had been scammed by Mrs. Jennifer Shah.” Vision Solutions Management called him years ago with the promise of coaching and teaching. This call was just as he was trying lift his thriving business out of the digital age. Unfortunately, internet marketing wasn’t his forte.
After undergoing “several weeks” of coaching, he was contacted by Vision Management Group — a company claiming to not be affiliated with Vision Solutions Management — to pick up where the first service left off. He became suspicious when Position Gurus and 5 Star Quest, as well as MPG, began to contact him. “Because each business followed the same sequence of sales steps,” he said.
He noticed that multiple items appeared to have been “duplicated” across different services. Later, he realized that he had been “conned”, and “wasted around $40,000 trying do good for my families.”
“Every scammer has a story, with their own dreams of a better retirement. They were taken from their lives. [coerced] He said, “They will give their money to make false promises.” Consider the pain these seniors are experiencing as a result of not being able to afford food, medication or the medical treatment they require. The money that was stolen can’t be used to improve their retirement quality.
He also said, “Please think about this when you are judging Mrs. Jennifer Shah. She should suffer the same or similar hardships as her victims, regardless of her restitution or time served. Her choice was to make the crime for fame and drinks, fun, or both. [luxury]. You are the judge. I ask that your judgement bear the same hardships as her victims.
Randy Shropshire/Bravo
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Shah’s scheme is transforming the life of an individual who was once excited “about starting a new job” in 2017. After a failed online job search, Shah’s partner called to inquire about starting an e-commerce company from home. Because the opportunity seemed promising and legitimate, she agreed to purchase “several” services.
The victim stated that this was the worst mistake of my adult life. “My life spiraled out-of control from then on.” I had nearly $35,000 in credit card debt, with no profit to show for it by January 2018. It all felt surreal.”
They were still unable to make a profit despite having “worked diligently” and devoted more than 10 hours per days to their business. The couple realized they were being duped, but Jennifer and her associates had their money before it was too late.
They were constantly worried about their financial situation and lost sleep over it all. Finally, they suffered a heart attack caused by extreme stress. This required them to take four different medications. After learning relaxation techniques, the individual continued working on their e-commerce website. But, after several weeks, they were suddenly “locked from my website.” After regaining access, their hard work was vanished because the “website’s host service had changed hands.”
The victims feel that Shah should be paid full restitution of all their losses and investments in Shah’s services. Shah should “pay restitution” but should also be sentenced to “the maximum jail term allowed by law,” according to the victim.
Andrew Peterson/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
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A fourth individual described the “emotional, mental and financial anguish” Shah’s scheme caused him, as well as his family.
“I nearly lost everything I had worked for and my life. It almost cost me my marriage and ended up ruining my children’s lives forever.” “What I thought was an investment in a business that I could pass on my children if the company got off to a successful start, ended up almost ruining EVERYONE OF OUR LIVES,” the letter read. You were all businessmen, and helped me to start a great business. This turned our lives around in a short time.
He stated that he lost over $100,000 because of the costs involved in starting the business. [their] To get your business started, you will need to have the right education programs. You also need supplies and taxes. It forced him to remortgage the house, and nearly ended his marriage. Even though they had to make excuses for the many bills he had to pay, they still had to help him. Although he considered ending his life, he said that a financial burden was not something he wanted for his family.
In the victim impact statement, he directly addressed Shah: “You sounded convincing and sympathetic, so I trusted your judgment. I was such a fool. While the courts may have some form or punishment for your lawless actions, it is unlikely that you will ever have to answer to our God and heavenly Creator of all things.
Chad Kirkland/Bravo/ Getty Jen Shah
Shah’s scam led to the loss of five victims. They accumulated debts of over $30,000 They added, “I could go on, but the point is that I have the problem with faith and trust.”
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Shah, 49, was joined by Stuart Smith, her assistant, in March 2021. arrested Utah, for allegedly orchestrating a telephone scam to defraud people 55 and older. She initially maintained her innocence but later changed her mind. entering a guilty plea July
On December 23, the United States government requested she receive 10 years in prisonShah called that a “sufficient punishment.” Shah will be sentenced Jan. 6.