La Jolla Mazatlan, Mexico/ Fraud time share robbery.

[TSV Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close TSV]

This year for my annual vacation, my boyfriend and I went to Mazatlan, Mexico. While there, time share marketers (the ones who stand on the street asking you to go for a free breakfast and a sales pitch in exchange for adventures, dollars, activities and the like) who offered us $300 to attend a free breakfasts, drinks, in exchange for our time to listen to a sales pitch at the La Jolla Boutique Resort Mazatlan.
Although we are cautious with our money, La Jolla Boutique Resort Mazatlan managed to get $26,000 from us with promises that they would buy the current time share we had + buy from us any unused times at their resort for 3,500/week. Since the promises were too good, I asked lots of questions for which they had – what I thought at the time -- good answers.
Mexico, and particularly La Jolla Boutique Resort in Mazatlan, as I have read, has swindled many Americans and Canadians out of their savings. These people know the cost to litigate one deal at a time, cost prohibitive for many, so they lie and cheat each one of us independently and repeatedly over and over.
The La Jolla people, (their VP of Sales, Alfredo Marq; Sales Manager, Efrain Morales; their counterpart in the USA representing SWAP Global Vacation, Cameron Moretti, and their customer service representative,) were all fluent in English, two of them were American Citizens familiar with contract law, the banking system, property deeds, and taxes on capital gains – they offer to buy a time share we already had and were so astute in describing the deal, I eat it all up.
After five months of trying to get a hold of them through e-mails and phone calls that have gone unanswered, I have given up on the money, the vacation, everything, except for forewarning other tourist who may fall on the same trap I did.
I know there is nothing I can do to recover the money we lost, but I have the power, and obligation, to alert others of what happened to me, in hopes that they avoid giving their savings to a bunch of La Jolla crooks.
Since I wrote this, I have learned that the sales people (VPs, Managers, Customer Service, and others), change their name regularly to avoid being identified as guilty parties on internet postings.
Because this is a Mexico case, the only way we can get a class action law suit is by advising the people who felt pray of the Ponzi scheme, to file a complaint with the Attorney General in their home state. If enough complaints are made from different states, this then becomes a Federal Case against La Jolla Boutique resort Mazatlan, and a class action suit is possible. I think writing about my experience everywhere I can, increases the chances of many of us coming together and unified do something about it.
In addition to cautioning future travelers of this Ponzi scheme, many others who experienced what I have, will be grateful someone is writing about this.

[TSV Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close TSV]

La Jolla is now using my credit card to purchase airline tickets.

La Jolla, the company that ripped us off 26,000 is now purchasing airline tickets using my credit card number. They purchased tickets for 600 dollars. I check my bank account often, so luckily I spot the fraudulent charge within two days of them doing so. I cancelled all my credit cards in hopes they can’t take any more of my money, but the reversed charge will take 10 to 15 days according to the credit card consumer care rep, which at this time of year is really a bad thing.
I can’t believe that a beautiful vacation can turn into the nightmare this is. I doubt I will ever go to Mexico again, but my boyfriend is going to make a formal complaint to the Mazatlan Procuraduria General del Consumidor we’ll see if they can help.
Please be careful of timeshare promises, especially of La Jolla Boutique Resort Mazatlan Mexico

If they can't help, I am researching other options.

[TSV Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close TSV]

How we can get our money back and closed La Jolla Boutique Resort Mazatlan forever.

Looking through different travel and timeshare forums, I see La Jolla Boutique Resort in Mazatlan, Mexico, has taken money from so many people I feel worse than when I thought it was just me.
I believe this is a crime of mass proportion; these people think by embezzling from one person at a time they get away with it because it is too expensive to do anything about them on our own, we don’t know the Mexican legal system, and we are thousands of miles away; they may be right on some of them, but I know that if we unite we can recover some of the money we lost to these thieves.
I believe united we can do something.
1. If you were robbed by them, go to your attorney general and place a complaint. If enough states have a complaint about La Jolla Mazatlan Resort the case becomes a federal case against them. Something then has to be done—besides from closing them down so they stop this mass robbery.
If you've been scammed and you live in the United States, you should always report this to the FTC. Although the Attorney General of any state will not go after a case because of a single complaint, if several people complain they will start to take notice. Part of the reason that Scam Advocates exists is to help educate people that this is one of the most effective methods to help shut down a scammer. Recent reports show huge lawsuits being made on behalf of the FTC and Attorney General's office against big scams, and this sometimes results in class action scams.

[aliikai2 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close aliikai2]

Sorry this happened to you

We here at TS4MS are already aware and have been warning folks like you for years about buying retail. This company has built some units, one of our members has the month of June there and is very pleased, but she new what she was doing and didn't try to make a trade in.
I would guess your only hope is profeco, here is a link to a brochure they produce,
http://www.profeco.gob.mx/revista/pu...ares_abr06.pdf

Best of luck,

Greg

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

The key is that you don't know the Mexican legal system. I lived in Mexico and owned a business there. I can guarantee you that you do not have any legal recourse. This sort of thing happens a lot in Mexico because they can do it and get away with it. Profeco will probably not be able to help you as I bet that none of the lies they told you are in your contract.

[TSV Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close TSV]

We can do something about La Jolla

We can do something...File a complaint with the Attorney General in your state. If enough complaints are file in different states this becomes a Federal Case… a different game all together.

See below e-mail from La Jolla.

Response from La Jolla to my postings on their business practices.
They want me to stop; otherwise” there is no negotiation on the contract we already bought from them.” In other words, if I don't stop my money is gone, but before, when I was dealing with them nicely they did not respond to phone calls or e-mails, so my money was gone also…
They think I am going to stop now that I know how many people they ripped off, they are mistaken.
My money is gone, I take the loss, but they will STOP stealing from others, that is a promise, and I don't make promises often, only the ones I can keep.
See below:
From: Francisco Kelly [mailto:fkelly@rclajolla.com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 12:29 PM
To: George Jacobson
Subject: Mariana Scott´s postings

Mr. Jacobson:
As stated before, we affirm that Mariana Scott, in spite of being your girlfriend, has no business whatsoever, in regards to your purchase made to La Jolla, to publish stories on internet. Once again, if you wish to see your money, and engage negotiations for that matter, you need to drop all of your fiance´s actions at once and erase all postings, and you can stop sending emails to Alfredo Marcq. Should you refuse to do this, we will not consider, presently, or in the near future, to negotiate terms of termination of contract.

Francisco Kelly
Residence Club La Jolla

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Good attitude, publicity against scammers by those scammed can prevent others from falling into the same trap and often gets the attention of government agencies leading to prosecution.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

We can do something...File a complaint with the Attorney General in your state. If enough complaints are file in different states this becomes a Federal Case… a different game all together...

What do you think this is going to accomplish? Do you think your case is unique. This happens everyday at many timeshare presentations in Mexico. Do you honestly believe that a timeshare scam is going to be a Federal case prosecutable in Mexico. It is just not going to happen. These practices prevail in Mexico because they can get away with it.

Your best course of action is to follow their advice and try to negotiate with them. If you continue on in this manner, they will win period.

For the record, I have no vested interest one way or the other.

[pittle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pittle]

I am the month of June Owner

Hi - I am sorry for your problems. The La Jolla and Grupo Mayan seem to have the worst reputations for timeshare sales in Mexico. This is so sad as the resorts are really nice (I know firsthand since we own at both).

We own the entire month of June in the Diamond 2 unit that overlooks the pool and ocean. We did not trade anything in for it - actually bought from the developer because the beach reminded my husband of Myrtle Beach many years ago and he wanted to come each summer with grand-kids for a vacation on the beach. We did not pay as much as you did and were able to negotiate fixed maintenance fees that were about 1/2 the maintenance fees of our other 2-bedroom units at other resorts. We bought pre-construction while they were working on the pool. Our unit was about half finished when we purchased. We have gone there in 2009, 2010, and 2011. We will go again June 2012.

We have learned over the years to only buy where we want to go. We are not into the points and exchange companies anymore - we go to our timeshares. Once we find a resort that we like, we start looking on eBay and other secondary market places to find the best fit for us. We bought at the La Jolla because we want to go there - buying from the developer was a stretch for us, but we do love going in June and drive there from Phoenix. We stop in San Carlos on the way down and back.

When we are there, we often watch the sales force do their spiels. Since I am very aware of the reputation of the La Jolla's salesforce, I am disappointed that they are still using the "We will sell your current timeshare for a profit" tactic. This does not work - once we tried to trade in some old ones to have fewer maintenance fees - that did not work. The old adage "If it sounds too good to be true - it is" always applies.

We have made friends who also own t La Jolla and they love bringing their family to the La Jolla for 2 weeks in June. We look forward to meeting up with them each year.

The bottom line is -we got what we bought and paid for and are happy with our purchase. We wanted a specific unit at a specific time and got it.

Again, I am sorry that you did not get what you wanted or thought you were buying.

[TSV Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close TSV]

Responding to your posts

Thank you for all the responses. I do not think I am alone in this, though for a while I did, until I started researching.
No, I did not know this thing happens all the time. I know it is my fault for believing what they told me. If I would have known this happens all the time, I don’t think I would have eat the story up.
I was told by an attorney who practices law in Mexico and the States, that the only way to close this robbers down was to hope that enough complaints, in different states, against the same perpetrator, may attract the attention of officials; otherwise hire an attorney and go after them for my money – well, I have not money for this, so I am doing it the hard way.
No interest in negotiating with them anymore, though they are trying. I don’t think I can stay at a place where I know while I enjoy the pool, the beach, and the scenery, next door in their sales room they are ripping people off. Call me stupid but I just can’t do it. I can’t be part of that. I purchased something which they can’t give, that was the negotiation, and we are passed that.
I take the loss, but I have to believe there is something we can do so they don’t do this again to others.
These things take time and patience, they are not going to be out of business in a week, but they will, and all these postings will help people who are looking for a timeshare, to stay away from this one.
I didn’t know Mayan was bad too. I am learning a lot.
Anyway, thank you for the comments, they are all appreciated.
Maybe I am naïve, but is Christmas –Time to believe.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

Thank you for all the responses. I do not think I am alone in this, though for a while I did, until I started researching.
No, I did not know this thing happens all the time. I know it is my fault for believing what they told me. If I would have known this happens all the time, I don’t think I would have eat the story up.
I was told by an attorney who practices law in Mexico and the States, that the only way to close this robbers down was to hope that enough complaints, in different states, against the same perpetrator, may attract the attention of officials; otherwise hire an attorney and go after them for my money – well, I have not money for this, so I am doing it the hard way.
No interest in negotiating with them anymore, though they are trying. I don’t think I can stay at a place where I know while I enjoy the pool, the beach, and the scenery, next door in their sales room they are ripping people off. Call me stupid but I just can’t do it. I can’t be part of that. I purchased something which they can’t give, that was the negotiation, and we are passed that.
I take the loss, but I have to believe there is something we can do so they don’t do this again to others.
These things take time and patience, they are not going to be out of business in a week, but they will, and all these postings will help people who are looking for a timeshare, to stay away from this one.
I didn’t know Mayan was bad too. I am learning a lot.
Anyway, thank you for the comments, they are all appreciated.
Maybe I am naïve, but is Christmas –Time to believe.

Lots of luck but I believe you are beating your head against a brick wall. What officials do you expect to attract their attention? US officials can't, and won't do anything and any Mexican officials won't unless you can prove that the written contract is fraudulent. This has been going on for years and years. I know you don't want to but you really should negotiate with them as they suggested and be done with it. Otherwise, you are going to be stressed out trying to deal with a situation where you will never win.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

And it will continue to go on if nothing is done. Make as much noise as you can and perhaps something will happen to stop these crooks. If you listen to those who tell you nothing can be done, nothing will be done and the thieves win. It will encourage more scams to be perpetuated.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Well if you keep posting in this forum it'll be all over Google.
Google's very effective.

[TSV Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close TSV]

La Jolla SCAM --Blog.

Thanks to forums like this one, and the stories of forum participants willing to share, I have learned a lot about timeshare scams.
My experience with La Jolla, as for many of you, has been an ordeal. To share it in detail, without censured, post names, contracts, facts, and circulate it around, I created a blog.
My goal, to hurt them where it counts and eventually close the down.
Someone suggested I am naïve and am trying to move a mountain thinking is a rock; I have no illusion this will be an easy task; however, I believe it is a consumer’s right to know about shady business practices, and it is the responsibility of those who are aware of them, to report them and file complaints. In the absence of government intervention, where the Mexican authorities are apathetic to La Jolla's dealings, regardless of the many complaints they have, our only option is to damage their SCAM by exposing their reputation in as many places as we can.

Please read the blog and pass it around.

La Jolla Mazatlan Mexico SCAM

[Rick Lasker Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rick Lasker]

You do have a legal recourse; If you take action within time stipulated by law and in the proper way you can get positive results.