Question 1

What is the "Fake Hotel and Vacation Package Websites" scam in Cancun?

Accepted Answer

Fraudulent websites mimicking real Cancun resorts or vacation package agencies collect full payment from tourists, then disappear before arrival. Authorities in Quintana Roo have identified up to 20 new fake hotel sites per month targeting Cancun visitors. Victims arrive at check-in to find the real hotel has no record of their reservation. Mastercard's 2025 travel fraud index ranked Cancun among the highest globally for this type of pre-trip online fraud. Book directly on the resort's official website or through a major, well-known OTA such as Booking.com or Expedia. Pay by credit card to retain chargeback rights. Treat any deal requiring payment by wire transfer, Zelle, or cryptocurrency as fraudulent.

Question 2

What is the "Cartel-Linked Timeshare Resale Fraud" scam in Cancun?

Accepted Answer

After purchasing a Cancun timeshare, owners are later contacted by phone or email by individuals posing as U.S.-based brokers, attorneys, or resale agents offering to buy out their timeshare at an above-market price. The U.S. Treasury sanctioned this network in February 2025, linking it directly to the CJNG cartel, which has defrauded timeshare owners of over $288 million. Victims are asked to pay upfront "transfer fees," "tax clearances," or "legal deposits" — none of which are ever returned. The fraud can span years and has wiped out retirement savings of American retirees. Never pay upfront fees to any company claiming to resell your Mexican timeshare. Verify any resale company through the Mexican PROFECO consumer agency and the U.S. FTC. Hang up on unsolicited calls about your timeshare — legitimate resale companies do not cold-call.

Online Scams in Cancun

Fake Hotel and Vacation Package Websites

Cartel-Linked Timeshare Resale Fraud

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