The Jalisco New Generation cartel, notorious for its involvement in drug trafficking, avocados, and real estate, has now set its sights on a new target: seniors and their timeshares. Through a sophisticated scheme, the cartel’s employees pose as sales representatives, offering to buy back timeshare investments for generous sums. Victims are then coerced into wiring large amounts of money to Mexico for various fees, only to be left empty-handed.
This operation, which has reportedly netted the cartel hundreds of millions of dollars over the past decade, is carried out through call centers in Mexico targeting American and Canadian timeshare owners. The cartel even goes as far as bribing resort employees to obtain guest information, further facilitating their fraudulent activities.
The victims of these scams are primarily older, retired individuals looking to sell off assets. Many have fallen prey to the convincing tactics of the cartel’s representatives, losing significant amounts of money in the process. The rise in timeshare fraud complaints coincides with the industry’s growth, with billions of dollars in sales annually.
Despite efforts by law enforcement agencies, including the F.B.I., to address these scams, the jurisdictional challenges posed by cases originating in Mexico present significant obstacles. American timeshare owners have been defrauded out of millions of dollars in recent years, with many choosing not to report the crimes due to embarrassment.
The impact of these scams goes beyond financial loss, as evidenced by the discovery of the remains of eight young Mexicans who worked at a call center owned by the cartel. The victims’ families often face threats and intimidation, discouraging them from seeking justice.
As the Jalisco New Generation cartel continues to expand its operations, targeting vulnerable individuals across borders, the need for international cooperation to combat these fraudulent activities becomes increasingly urgent. With the stakes so high, it is essential for authorities and industry players to work together to protect consumers from falling victim to these sophisticated schemes.