Federal prosecutors have charged two Mexican nationals connected to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel with orchestrating a massive timeshare fraud operation targeting Americans. Julio Cesar Montero Pinzon, known as "El Tarjetas," and his half-sister Griselda Margarita Arredondo Pinzon face wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges. Montero Pinzon also confronts accusations of supporting a terrorist organization. Both defendants remain outside US jurisdiction.
The cartel has deceived timeshare owners through advance fee scams since 2012, convincing victims to pay upfront costs for property sales that never materialized. Fake lawyers and government officials later contacted victims demanding additional payments to recover their losses. Montero Pinzon managed money laundering operations while Arredondo Pinzon supervised call centers that directed fraud proceeds.
American victims reported approximately $350 million in losses between 2019 and 2024. The indictments represent efforts to dismantle CJNG financial operations after President Trump designated the organization as a foreign terrorist group.
The cartel has deceived timeshare owners through advance fee scams since 2012, convincing victims to pay upfront costs for property sales that never materialized. Fake lawyers and government officials later contacted victims demanding additional payments to recover their losses. Montero Pinzon managed money laundering operations while Arredondo Pinzon supervised call centers that directed fraud proceeds.
American victims reported approximately $350 million in losses between 2019 and 2024. The indictments represent efforts to dismantle CJNG financial operations after President Trump designated the organization as a foreign terrorist group.
