The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), notorious for its extreme violence and drug trafficking, has expanded its criminal operations to include time-share scams. Targeting American and Canadian owners, the cartel has defrauded victims of millions of dollars, preying on their desire to sell or rent their properties.
CJNG employs sophisticated tactics to execute its time-share scams. They establish fake websites, provide official-looking forms and contracts, and even make follow-up calls from purported investigators to convince victims of the legitimacy of their offers. Rod Pratt, an Edmonton resident, fell victim to these tactics, receiving multiple lucrative offers that ultimately cost him over $200,000.
The cartel’s time-share scams have flourished due to a lack of serious blowback from the U.S. or Canadian governments. While some gang members and businesses have faced sanctions, no significant task force has been formed to combat this specific issue. This lack of attention has allowed the cartel to continue its fraudulent activities with impunity.
Guillermo Cruz, a Toronto lawyer, has witnessed firsthand the impact of these scams. He receives numerous calls each month from victims seeking to recover their lost payments. Cruz emphasizes the sophistication of the cartel’s tactics and the need for increased pressure on Mexican authorities to crack down on these fraudulent practices.
Despite calls for action, Rod Pratt and Diana Paquette, the couple who initially invested in a Mexican time-share, have suffered irreparable losses. The scams have torn apart their marriage and forced them to sell their home. They regret ever venturing into Mexico and hope that their story serves as a warning to others about the dangers of time-share scams run by the ruthless Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
