(NewsNation) — Senior citizens are being cautioned once again regarding timeshare fraud in Mexico, with authorities suspecting cartel involvement in orchestrating the schemes to rob Americans.
The scam typically begins with owners being contacted by individuals who claim they know someone willing to buy them out of their timeshare. Eventually, owners are asked to wire money to an LLC, potentially linked to a cartel, for fees or taxes.
While initially it appears legitimate, the scammers disappear, leaving the owners without their money.
Authorities suspect one cartel in the Jalisco region, along Mexico’s west coast, is orchestrating this scheme. Incidents have been reported in Puerto Vallarta, which authorities deem a strategic stronghold, and Cancun, popular for its resorts and American timeshares.
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 600 complaints from victims in 2022 alone, resulting in nearly $40 million in losses.
Last year, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on about 40 Mexican individuals and companies linked to the Jalisco New Generation cartel, the group suspected behind the scam.
NewsNation spoke to the American Resort Development Association, a consumer advocacy group, which noted there isn’t much U.S. authorities can do to recover Americans’ lost money, emphasizing the importance of staying alert.
“Once you wire it, that money is gone forever; there’s no way to get it back,” said Jason Gamel, president and CEO of the American Resort Development Association. “I think that’s something that people have to realize — once you wire money or send anything like a cable or wire or Western Union, that money cannot be retrieved.
Consumer analysts recommend Americans hang up and contact the FBI if something appears too good to be true.
Americans seeking to leave their timeshare commitment should contact the developer about potential return programs or a licensed real estate broker.