FBI warns timeshare owners of telemarketing fraud linked to Mexican drug cartel

The FBI is warning timeshare owners about a dangerous telemarketing scam linked to a notorious Mexican drug cartel. The scam targets owners, tricking them into believing that a buyer is interested in purchasing their property, when in reality they are being lured into a sophisticated scam. One such heartbreaking case is that of the Dimitruks, a retired couple from Ontario, Canada, who lost more than $50,000 to this scam.

How the scam unfolded

In late 2022, the Dimitruks received a phone call from a man who appeared to know the details of their Florida timeshare. The caller claimed to have a buyer from Mexico who was willing to purchase their property for more than it was worth. The offer sounded legitimate, but the couple still owed $5,000 on their timeshare. The scammer assured them that this would not be a problem and convinced the Dimitruks to go through with the sale.

The scammers posed as employees of an escrow company and sent forms to make everything seem official. But after signing the documents, the Dimitruks were asked to wire $3,000 to cover “administrative” and “processing” fees. The financial demands continued for months. “They kept calling me after that and saying, ‘Hey, your money is here waiting for you,’” recalled Mr. Dimitruk, a 73-year-old retired truck driver. “They said, ‘We’re going to have problems if the money isn’t returned to you,’ and gave me a toll-free number to call them.”

Ultimately, the couple lost more than $50,000. Despite their growing doubts, they were strung along with reassurances. One scammer admitted to having some “bad employees” but claimed they had been fired. “Towards the end of the call, he said, ‘You’ve had some bad people and we fired all those bad people,’” Dimitruk said. “So they were like, yeah, it’s all good. You can pay us more and we’ll send you your money.”

A growing and dangerous scam

Unfortunately, the Dimitruks’ experience is far from unique. The FBI recently linked this type of timeshare fraud to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexico’s most violent criminal organizations. In July 2024, the FBI and the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a stark warning, reporting that the cartel is behind numerous telemarketing schemes that target U.S. timeshare owners and use the profits to fund other illegal activities, including drug trafficking.

“Mexico-based (transnational criminal organizations) such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel are increasingly targeting U.S. timeshare owners in Mexico through complex, often multi-year telemarketing, impersonation, and prepayment schemes,” the FBI statement said. These scams generate illicit funds that fund other criminal enterprises, such as manufacturing and trafficking synthetic drugs like fentanyl into the U.S.

Many of these scams originate from fake real estate and escrow companies. The Dimitruks dealt with a company called ecurrencyescrow(.)llc, which is now offline. However, this company was linked to dozens of other suspicious websites, many of which impersonated legitimate real estate companies, leading victims to trust the scam.

The Hidden Fear: Involvement in Cartels

The involvement of a violent drug cartel adds an even more chilling aspect to these scams. In some cases, those involved fear for their safety. Last year, it was reported that eight young employees of a cartel-run call center were killed after trying to quit their jobs. Victims often avoid reporting the crime, either out of shame or fear of reprisals from the criminals involved.

William Dimitruk admitted that he and his wife have not yet reported their loss to the police. However, he is reconsidering it now that he recognizes that doing so could help prevent others from being scammed. “It might help someone else avoid what we went through,” he said.

Protect Yourself from Timeshare Scams

Timeshare owners should be extra cautious when receiving unsolicited offers to purchase their properties. Scammers can be persuasive and often have access to specific details about a property that make their offers seem legitimate. Here are some tips to avoid falling victim to these scams:

1. Check the buyer

Always independently verify any potential buyer or agent offering to purchase your timeshare. Do not rely solely on the information provided by the caller.

2. Beware of prepayment fees

Legitimate real estate transactions typically do not require large upfront payments for processing fees, administrative costs, or taxes.

3. Use trusted professionals

Work with a licensed real estate agent or attorney when selling timeshares and be wary of companies that you have not independently vetted.

4. Contact the authorities

If you believe a scam has targeted you, report it to local authorities and the FBI. Although investigations can take years, filing a report can help prevent others from becoming victims and can increase your chances of recovering stolen funds.

The importance of reporting

Although the Dimitruks have not yet filed a police report, they are considering doing so to prevent future scams. Reporting these crimes is crucial for authorities to track down these criminal networks. Sometimes, government agencies can recover stolen money and redistribute it to victims, but this can only happen if victims report their losses.

Scams like these aren’t just about financial loss; they fund dangerous criminal enterprises, further victimizing society. By raising awareness and encouraging people to be vigilant, we can help combat these sophisticated schemes.

In conclusion, timeshare owners should remain cautious and vigilant, especially when receiving unsolicited offers. The scam targeting the Dimitruks shows that no one is immune to these deceptive tactics, but through awareness and precautions we can help reduce the number of victims who fall prey to these dangerous schemes.