In addition to the sanctioned companies, OFAC included three people linked to the “four letter cartel” on its blacklist.
As part of the actions to dismantle the financial operations of organized crime, United States (US) authorities issued sanctions against more than a dozen companies that are linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
The Treasury Department indicated that the companies sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) are directly or indirectly linked to timeshare frauds led by the “four letter cartel” in the state of Jalisco.
In total, 13 companies linked to the CJNG were detected. The majority is dedicated to real estate and are located in Puerto Vallarta, a municipality that is identified as a “strategic fortress” for drug trafficking and other illicit activities.
The companies sanctioned by OFAC are:
Assis Reality and Vacation Club S.A. of C.V. Headquarters: Puerto Vallarta. Establishment date: February 16, 2018.
Axis Sale & Maintenance Buildings S.A. of C.V. Headquarters: Puerto Vallarta. Establishment date: February 16, 2018.
Banlu Comercializadora S.A. of C.V. Headquarters: Puerto Vallarta.
Marketing of Tourist Services of Vallarta S.A. of C.V. Headquarters: Puerto Vallarta. Establishment date: May 9, 2007.
Condos & Vacations Buildings Sale & Maintenance S.A. of C.V. Headquarters: Puerto Vallarta. Establishment date: October 15, 2016.
Crowlands S.A. of C.V. Headquarters: Guadalajara. Establishment date: May 20, 2019.
Epta Business Group S.A. of C.V. Headquarters: Puerto Vallarta and León, Guanajuato. Establishment date: August 14, 2013.
Grupo Minera Barra Pacífico S.A.P.I. of C.V. Headquarters: León, Guanajuato. Establishment date: February 8, 2021.
International Realty & Maintenance S.A. of C.V. Headquarters: Puerto Vallarta. Establishment date: October 15, 2016.
Mega Comercial Ferreléctrica S.A. of C.V. Headquarters: Guadalajara.
Real Estates & Holiday Cities S.A. of C.V. Headquarters: Puerto Vallarta. Establishment date: October 15, 2016.
Skairu S.A. of C.V. Headquarters: Guadalajara. Establishment date: June 20, 2019.
Terra Minas e Inversiones del Pacífico S.A.P.I. of C.V. Headquarters: Guadalajara. Establishment date: May 26, 2021.
In addition to the 13 companies, OFAC sanctioned three Mexicans for being involved in the CJNG timeshare frauds. These people were identified as Teresa de Jesús Alvarado Rubio, Manuel Alejandro Foubert Cadena and Gabriel del Villa Contreras.
It was indicated that Alvarado has participated in this type of fraud for 15 years. Foubert became involved in these activities in late 2016. Del Villar, is an attorney who focuses on debt collection and real estate fraud on behalf of the CJNG. They all operate in Puerto Vallarta.
It should be remembered that on March 2 and April 27, 2023, OFAC sanctioned 27 companies allegedly linked to the organization led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho”, due to the frauds committed.
According to the Mexican Association of Tourist Developers (AMDETUR), “timeshare arises as a procedure to market any real estate intended to accommodate tourists during their vacation periods and essentially consists of dividing the use of a unit by periods.”
However, this type of hosting can be used to commit fraud, which is executed through the following scheme:
A third party (who is part of the scam and claims to have reliable buyers) contacts timeshare owners and makes unsolicited offers.
If the offers are accepted, the scammer asks the timeshare owners for an advance payment for commissions and taxes. To do this, it is guaranteed that the money will be refunded at the end of the sale.
Once the payments are made, the timeshare owners realize that the initial offer was fictitious, since there are no buyers and their money was stolen.
U.S. authorities have warned that fraudsters sometimes misuse government agencies in an attempt to appear legitimate. It was reported that some criminals call victims and pose as OFAC agents. In this way, they demand a payment in exchange for the release of funds that are supposedly blocked.
Source: Infobae
