The FBI is warning timeshare owners about a widespread telemarketing scam linked to a violent Mexican drug cartel, the Jalisco New Generation cartel. The cartel is targeting unsuspecting property owners, particularly seniors, and leading to significant financial losses. The scam involves impersonating legitimate entities such as real estate agents, escrow companies, or government agencies, and targets individuals with offers to buy their timeshares at inflated values. The scammers often request upfront fees for administrative or processing purposes, which victims are unaware are actually fraudulent.
The scam has been linked to at least 50,000 dollars in losses for one individual, a retired long-haul truck driver and his wife, who were targeted by the scammers. The couple lost over $50,000 to the scam and continued to receive calls from the scammers, who claimed their money was waiting and urged further payments.
To protect themselves, timeshare owners should be wary of upfront fees, research companies thoroughly, and verify the authenticity of any offers. They should also use secure communication channels and be cautious of phishing emails and social media messages.
The FBI has issued a warning about the scam and advises victims to report any suspicious activity to local authorities or the Internet Crime Complaint Center. In addition, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has warned that the cartel’s activities are linked to drug trafficking and the manufacturing and trafficking of dangerous substances into the United States.