One of the most powerful and violent cartels in Mexico’s latest venture doesn’t involve drugs — it’s duping unsuspecting Canadians out of their life savings. One couple tells CBC News how an elaborate time-share scam cost them nearly $200,000 and their marriage.
The phone calls were coming on an almost daily basis. Lawyers, real estate agents and people with cash in hand, all looking to purchase Rod Pratt and Diana Paquette’s Mexican time-share at a handsome price.
It seemed like a godsend to the Edmonton couple. On their first trip to Mexico, for a 2016 wedding, they had made a snap decision to invest in a beachfront property in Nuevo Vallarta, on the Pacific coast, just north of the resort town Puerto Vallarta.
But nothing was as it appeared. Even after spending $95,000 US on the time-share and three upgrades, there were room charges, maintenance fees, bills for food, drink …