Related Federal Cases
- Marco Antonio Ramirez Zuno, Wire Fraud Conspiracy, California 2012 · Florida
- Jeffrey Silhanek, Mail Fraud, California 2023 · North Carolina
- Timeshare Scam Artist Toner Admits Fraud · U.S. Virgin Islands
- Jia Bei Zhu, Conspiracy and Fraud, Fresno CA, 2024 · Florida
- Daniel Moshe Naeh, Bid-Rigging and Fraud, California 2006 · New York
Grimy Times Exclusive: Timeshare Resale Scam Unravels as Defendant Pleads Guilty
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Marco Antonio Ramirez Zuno, a 32-year-old Mexican citizen, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a timeshare resale scheme that targeted victims in the US.
According to court documents, between 2011 and 2012, Zuno and his co-conspirators conducted a timeshare resale fraud scheme based in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Sales agents, including co-defendant Juan Montalbo, aka John Monte, convinced prospective customers to purchase a timeshare vacation package marketed under the names Platinum Access Program or World Luxury Destinations.
If customers had existing timeshare properties, Montalbo assured them that another company, Continental Resources, would arrange for their sale. However, when the customers returned from Mexico, they were contacted by co-defendant Wayne York, aka Tim Hamick or Michael Halston, who claimed to represent companies named Property Marketing Group or Eagle Market Solution.
York and his associates would then extract a series of upfront payments from the victims, which they claimed were required to be wired to bank accounts in Mexico in order for the guaranteed sale to be completed. However, after the victims wired the money to Mexico, York and his associates would break off all contact with them.
Ramirez Zuno managed the Mexican bank accounts used in the fraud, trained co-conspirators on how to conduct the fraud, and managed the disbursement of the proceeds of the fraud. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Ramirez Zuno has been in custody since his arrest on April 14, 2016, in Miami, Florida. The case is the product of an ongoing investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew G. Morris is prosecuting the case. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on June 27, 2017.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
White Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar Crime