The firm called with a proposal to rent 12 weeks of our ownership in Mayan Resorts in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico over a period of 6 years. They would pay us the total rental price for those weeks within a month's time, after the contract had been approved, with no funds 'up front'. Following their receipt of the signed document for rental, they said there was a $992 fee that had to be sent to Mexico for a title search. I asked them to send it to an escrow account in my bank, since all owners' 'costs' were to be refunded to the owners before closing.
They said they could not do that, so I wired the money since I wanted to know where this was all going. After they received the funds, their escrow partner, United World Escrow of Henderson, NV, called to inform me that there was another cost of $15,000 for Mexican taxes and other charges that must be paid before the transfer of funds could be made to the owner. I said I would pay no more funds, and that they were in breach of contract for requiring 'up-front' costs. I told them to return my $992, and that I was pursuing further action against them. I have not heard from them as of this date.
In my investigation of these companies, I have found that there are many such operations under different names, but virtually identical in their contract language and approach. I feel that there have been many individuals who have had the same presentation and who have lost much more through this scam operation. The problem is that there is no 'clearing-house' site where all those who have been affected can form a 'class action' against all these scammers. The only thing I can do is warn any and all, in any way I can, and then see what the FBI or The Federal Trade Commission can suggest as a course of action. I welcome any interest in this from other affected parties.
