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After an extensive investigation I found out that Mayan Palace faced a class action lawsuit on 2008 I´m not sure of the outcome but Nick Steele from Mayan palace stated the process didn´t take place due to the lack of evidence but I think he just said it to try stop me of pursuing to file a class action lawsuit again.
The class action lawsuit filed in California against the company back in March 2008 accusing El Grupo Mayan Palace of bilking U.S. citizens of “hundreds of millions of dollars” in Mayan Resorts timeshares, using “high-pressure fraudulent sales tactics that are comparable to the worst tactics ever employed by used car salesmen in a Hollywood movie.”
The complaint states that the “defendants earn hundreds of millions each year from such sales by systematically misrepresenting in sales presentations and documents the value of the timeshares they are selling. Defendants as part of their scheme also have misled Plaintiffs as to their rights under Mexican law.”
Here are the defendants: Desarollo Marina Vallarta SA de CV, El Grupo Mayan Palace, Daniel Chavez Moran, Daniel Omar Chavez, Scott Erikson, Casey Jon Owens, Canamere Inc., Huffsmith-Kohrville Inc., Preferred Vacations Inc., Premium Travel Services Inc., Resort Solutions Inc., Seven Oceans US Inc., AZM Marketing LLC, Resort Quality Controls Inc., Resort Condominiums International LLC, and Resorts International Marketing Corp.
If you would like to read the complete documentation here is the link http://www.courthousenews.com/2008/03/05/MayanTimeShares.pdf
After having contact with the Grand Luxxe Customer Support staff, our issues have been taken care of. We have no pending issues with them.
After having contact with the Grand Luxxe Customer Support staff, our issues have been taken care of. We have no pending issues with them.
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Vidanta Desarrollo Marina Vallarta
Same scame story
XXX shares @635.25 fixed rate
The say you need an acccount
Bank Adm New York City Chapter
424 Madison Ave
New york city, NY 10017
I bought my contract right after the pandemic and I´m already receiving these phone calls saying that I own many of the Desarrollo shares. How is it that I am linked to all of this? Does anyone actually have the documentation that was here http://www.courthousenews.com/2008/03/05/MayanTimeShares.pdf
We received a call today from Francis Xavier Marino [protected]. He said his phone number is [protected] x112 and he worked for Forex Trade Management. He wanted us to call [protected] to get our book Entry number from "Marina Vallarta" who supposedly owns the Grand Mayan (Vidanta) and wants to go public in the USA. He told us that our contract said we had dividends that we could sell at $844 a share. He would sell our shares for us for 3.46% commission.
Based on the information that others have noted, we are not pursing this further. We appreciate your comments and are sincerely sorry that you have been "taken". Stiffer penalties need to be enforced.
Also, thank you for websites such as these. You have obviously helped many people.
Karen Carleton
On June 8, 2023, I received an unsolicited call from Elizabeth Palermo, who said she was a senior broker at Broker Union, LLC, in Rochester, NY., about Vidanta Vacation group going public on June 12th. She said I should have received documentation in the mail from Vidanta for many years informing me of the share purchase program as a private stock deal worth about $324,000 to me.
It seemed like a scam from the beginning. She as very aggressive on the phone saying that I had shares from Vidanta that needed to be handled before the company went public. She gave me the phone number that she said was Vidanta Finance Department. Hector Lopez, allegedly in the Finance Department, gave me an "Electronic Access Key" which provided the number of shares I was entitled to receive, so I would be guaranteed to get what Vidanta legally owed me. He expressed a dire sense of urgency because the deadline is three business days away and I may be too late to apply for stock sales. He also said that about half the shares were "in transition" and I had lost them, but that the roughly half were active and I could sell those.
I called the main number at Vidanta and they told me this was a scam--no stock sale was in play.
I then received a follow-up call from Palermo's associate who was even more aggressive.
I told him I had just called Vidanta and they said there is no stock deal at all. I asked for documentation and he said that Vidanta is responsible for supplying that--not him. He also said that they would not be getting a commission for my deal--they were just trying to help me get my stock sale payments. He told me he was trying to get me the money that was due to me from Vidanta. At that point I told him I needed to leave for a meeting (which was true). He subsequently called twice more that day and I did not pick up.
I did a Google search to find out if Vidanta going public was legitimate and came across a number of identical scams with the same story.
BEWARE- these people are very dishonest and aggressive. DO NOT give them private info or money.
she is a scam, believe me insider info from palermo
Just today I received 2 calls from Stock Brokers LTD from New Yorl, giving me the same spiel about Vidnata going public and for me to cdall a specific numer for info on my number of shares! Their head honcho is Andrew Riviello, who promised me $ 1850.00 per share minus as special 2.48% commission! Thanks for you comments on these scammers!
Just remember, . what sounds too good to be true---usually turns out to be a scam!
Looks like this scam is still going, just got the same call and of course they say they sent documents months ago and now the shares are gone.
I just today I got contacted by the same firm as most of you have described, with Andrew Riviello being their top dog! What sounds to good to be true---usually is! Thanks for letting everybody kow abouit these shady charactors! The company name they are using is: Stock Brokers Limited from New York!
Scammers!
Got a call from Business Brokers - same scam. Always a tell when their last name is Jones, Clark, Smith etc. Very anglo names and usually a good sign it's a scam!
I had 65 shares at $1850/share - Vidanta is going public & SEC wanted everyone to know - shocked I hadn't received anything from Vidanta as I should have received my shares 6 months ago!
These people are total frauds. If I see any phone # that is out of country (I'm in Canada) I just block it and report it as spam
Thanks for sharing your information. It is exactly the same garbage I fell prey to in September and October. The lawsuit mentioned above this string of emails has nothing to do with our issue. It only addresses unhappy timeshare holders with Vidanta. We need to know what to do about these thieves who are not related to the time share but the so called shares that are being fraudulently pedaled to us. Their network is quite wis is quite wide and extremely well organized organized. I am wondering if there is a pending lawsuit that we can join to fight against ate against these miscreants. Let me know if you've learned anything and I will do the same.
I received the same call yesterday after multiple contacts in the past. I haven't made the call for the "book entry number for shares". I wonder if there is any way to report them as he left me his name and call back number, plus extension. I also wonder what kind of RESOLUTION the 2 people here received from Grand Luxxe Customer Support staff? The sales staff has been this way since the very beginning. We were there before completed construction. They do lie, talking about a huge annual golf tournament where they would rent out your room, etc. On the bright side, I did learn a lot about high pressure sales and didn't let it happen again. Thanks, Cynthia
It appears that I was recently caught up in the same scam, except different people and company names. This elaborate scam continues...
On 10 Sept. 2021 I was contacted by a Mr. Ross Basri of The Stock Broker LTD, Corp in New Jersey notifying me of “shares” that I was entitled to from my timeshare at the Grand Luxxe, Grupo Vidanta, or Royal Marina Vallarta. He instructed me to contact the finance department at Vidanta (which I later learned does not exist) to obtain a Book Entry # for my shares. After attempting to upsell me on other freebees they gave me my book entry number. I provided this to Mr. Basri who told me I had 89 shares valued at $1850 each totaling $164, 650 USD. He instructed me to contact my bank so he could trade these shares and send the money to that account. On his recommendation I contacted The Clearing House, Inc. 1 East 42nd Street in NYC, and spoke with Alex F. David with whom I have had numerous daily discussions. Alex stated he is the underwriter for Vidanta’s IPO (which appears to be non-existent), he instructed me to open an account with him by wire transferring 5% of this amount, $8, 300, on 16 Sept. to activate the account with CitiBank with the beneficiary Vector Casa de Bolsa SA, located at 111 Wall St. NYC 10005, with reference “Sistemas Y Control EMSY, SA DE CV [protected]”. Basri was informed and transferred the $164, 650 into this account. Further, Basri informed me that an additional 116 shares previously blocked by Vidanta had been released. Mr. David instructed me to wire an additional $10, 300 on 20 Sept. to activate this additional amount to the same aforementioned account. A total of $18, 600 had been very reluctantly wired from my Wells Fargo account. Now 205 shares were deposited totaling $379, 250, plus my activation amounts which totaled $397, 850. When attempting to withdraw this amount on 22 Sept. I was told by both Basri and David that Vidanta on 20 Sept. was holding the transfer up due to delinquent “Assessment fees” amounting to 13 years at $850 totaling $20, 050 which was required to be wired with Mr. David. I reviewed my Vidanta contract and spoke with the real Vidanta HQ accounting who stated that I was correct that there is now and never was any assessment fees and that this was a scam. I googled Mr. Alex Francis David, registered with Morgan Stanley and called him at his office in NYC. This was not the Alex Francis David at The Clearing House who previously rendered to me his CRD#5829569, which is the real Mr. David’s #. It appears that Mr. David at The Clearing House is impersonating the real registered broker with that name. Mr. David said he would cancel my agreement today while I was investigating the bogus assessment fees. He had told me numerous times previously that my $18, 600 activation fees were totally returnable if the transaction did not complete as these funds, “were my money”, but when asking for the return of my $18, 600 activation fees, he stating he would not return them, that they were in Mexico and hung up on me. I notified my bank which has initiated a recall of these funds but advised me that if Vector Casa de Bolsa refuses I will have little recourse. Please let me know if you have any advice to return my badly needed money.
I'm also a time share holder. I have been contacted from someone who works for Financial Acquisition Treading. To sell the investment I have with Vida Vacations Vallarta. I not sure if this is legit.
Hola maira I am same like you, I think so, I lost my money
I have been engaged and scammed the same way by what may be a spoof of BanksharesCorp.com. They c communicated with me the same way -- Financial Transaction, Mayan Palaces, and Bankshares. I would guess now that they are all sitting around the same kitchen table in Jalisco, massaging the victim by phone, but very well executed. They convince you to spend thousands of dollars to open a bank account to manage your $150K, sent by wire to a major American bank on behalf of a major Mexican bank. Then another wire to pay the IRS for failure to report earnings on past 8 years of earnings. Then another call for more $ for the IRS. Then demanding another wire to settle a cancellation agreement with me. They demand wires from you but promise their payments back in the form of a mailed check. I think it is wire fraud. I kept a 10-page detailed summary of my naivete that I will be sending to the SEC, New York District Attorney, etc., probably just a gesture, while my national bank is trying to retrieve my losses ( am not optimistic). They are very polished, sound very real, pick on people like me who are calculating risk vs. reward for playing who should be talking to their own financial advisors, like accountants or attorneys. Glad to find you all.
Hi mi name is mary and I recibe the same call about el have rights for 65 stocks for the lawsuit and the company name is financial acquisition and trading lls in New York they contact us and tell about we need a Number certificate for the exchange of this stocks they tell us about the commission is 2% for the broker who resale the stock to vidanta and we only need to open a brockerage account with the bank the name of the bank is Bankshares corporation of the United States the both is in New York any of you receive the same call
Hi guys, I too as many of you have stated got a call from SMC (Securities Management Consultants INC), and after just speaking to them a few times, I can tell you clear cut that is a SCAM and to stay the F away!
https://www.scampulse.com/securities-management-consultants-inc-and-pibc-reviews
There is a link to a thread where some unfortunate people have lost 80k+ to this scam, and several others lost additional 5-figures.
Here is what they will do. They will make you go through a bunch of different representatives, sign documents and then they will make you open up an offshore account where they say they will send the money. Then they say they require a 10% deposit of the full amount to be deposited in that account. Then they will throw in some other foreign transaction fee at 4% for you to pay them upfront. Then some other Department of Justice fee, etc, etc.
Please do not fall for this scam. The way I was able to identify it was a fraud is when SMC first told me to call a specific number to get my certificate number, I realized the same person picked up each time (VICTORIA RAMOS). So I called Vidanta and asked for my certificate number and they said no such thing existed. When I called that specific number given by SMC again, nobody picked up. Therefore I knew something wasn't right.
Also SECURITIES MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS is the most basic, and fake-sounding name I have ever heard for a Wall Street company. I didn't have to go any further, but as you can see from the above link, many people did. So please stay away!
Got a call just like most of you from Security Management Consultants. # [protected] Andrew Romo.
His rhetoric was just like that of a used care salesman. I was just checking everything out before proceding
but will not procede now after reading all of your posts. He gave me a CRD # 5975676 and a license
# 262638
The # he asked me to call [protected] is no longer in service from Sat 7/18/2020!
NPNJ107
I too have gotten the call out of the blue, from Broker in SMC, explaining class action suit and the court judgement to get all members to get proper settlement $ per shares held at a given value quote from Vidanta. that was 1st man lingo; #2 man was SMC's Validator saying my certificate number was valid; #3 man was Legal Dept man saying the process and I was getting stock selling contract to completed in 24 hrs and email immediately all signatures/permission of 3 pages of articles/technical language; #4 man was a Banker in PIBC in NYC, NY location= as banker I needed to set up a PIBC Banking account + put in minimum deposit of my $ at 4% figure by 2 days to his PIBC as underwriter to complete 12 pages woth of data and send $ to activate that bank account after they get my $ . Strange? Then lastly, within less than next 24hrs the broker sells the unlisted stocks, puts the stock sale money into that brokerage and bank account and I get settlement money...Long drawn out. I ask all public, Did any one go through all this, put a deposit of money from personal source in PIBC and get that account protected and get full balance as promised - the 2% broker fees taken out and feel good? Why put in $ to get $...sounds like a BIG elaborate SCAM. All my advisors say NO it is not legit. They site websites to try to authenticate the morality of this business.
You are right, this is a scam. The class action lawsuit was rejected by the California Court in December 2008, but they only reference the complaint. Look at Monugian v Desarrollo No. CV081497GAFAJWX, 2008 WL [protected] Central District Cal. Dec. 15, 2008.)The same scam is now being done under the name Financial Acquisition Advisors, with Bankcorp as the alleged trading account where you put your money, and they take out their commission.
Yes these are real criminals and interested in collecting money and bring fraud themselves warn of fraud by enslaving the time share holders.
They hide in Mexico and they must be prohibited to sell anything to USA citizens unless they have an office in USA and has security exchange commission registration.
All those who own must join and not pay the dues and file a lawsuit if any good at this point.
call Vidanta. Its a SCAM!
We heard the same thing but cannot decide if this is legit or not. We were issued the "certificate" number from supposedly Desarollo Marina Vallarta corporate office to provide to the authorized broker ( Securities Management Consultants). The stock/sale order to claim supposedly expires in 10 days. Any experience from others would be appreciated.
Same here! Any information?
Have you any updated info yet?
If the 2008 Class Action suit was resolved, has anyone received any official paperwork from any official legal representation? We should be able to receive something more official than an unproven phone call out of the blue.
We also received the call and received the stock sale order. Funny how all the numbers lead to the same person.
Has anyone else been contacted by a company called SMC (Securities Management Consultants) claiming to be a brokerage firm for Vidanta (Desarrollo Marina Vallarta) who apparently had a class action lawsuit they were liable for their fraudulent transactions and will buy back "shares" that are worth approx $2500 per share. Although you must go through a share sale and this broker get a commission. It seems like a very complicated scam. I've gone through the process to see how they are trying to get money and/or critical identity or financial information.
i have recieved the same call and message anyone else shed any light on whether this legitimate or not ?
I too was contacted by DeSarollo Marina Vallarta [protected] going by the name of Richard Clark about 70 share minimum @ $1850/share about calling [protected] to get a book entry # and it sounds good but it is well thought out fn... SCAM. I called Mayan Reservations Accounting department and the guy there stated it was a scam. I have had numerous people call posing as brokers in various ways to sell my interest in the Grand Mayan and they all have been scams and with a contract and $$ up front. These are the type of criminals that are out there today and have been praying on the timeshare buyers for a long time. As for one that has bought into a timeshare once, that poor investments (LOL) or money dump was a impulse mistake that will not be replicated by these scammers.
Just today I am realizing that maybe I was defrauded, still yesterday they called me to ask me for more money for a payment,
I did a couple of quick checks, quickest and easiest just do a search using the phone number. Tells quite a bit of info. I have reported them personally to the Federal Trade Commission, to the real Desarroyo group and my call was supposedly from Forex Trading (a legitimate company) I reported it to them with names and phone numbers. Definitely a scam! I was also not very nice when they called me back this morning! LOL
Was there a class action lawsuit against Grand Mayan? I was contacted by a broker who says we are due money but I am Leary.
I believe its a scam. I too was contacted and went through the process until I received the documents to see how they were trying to embezzle money. We are reporting them to the SEC.
Any results from the SEC inquiry? If no one is ever responded to, then we should presume their scams continue and SEC can and is doing nothing about it?
Perhaps someone who knows an appropriate attorney can help us all work together to get either a Mexican court or the SEC to solve the dilemma!
Count me in on a class-action suit...they stole thousands from us and ruined our vacation and now our holiday season. Let's do it!
They really do have no shame. I visited the riveria maya location multiple times over the past few years. This led to me developing a relationship with one of the saleswomen that became sexual. I was 19 years old at the time and she was 27. When I finally came to my senses and reported this to the company they did nothing to resolve the issue for my family.
Speaks volumes about the people working for Vidanta and the company as a whole. She probably only got promoted to that position because she has a pretty face and a nice body. Even when the company finds out she sleeps around with the guests nothing gets done... what a joke.
If Maybelline Hernandez is the one trying to sell you something then you are in for a treat!
I would like to retract these statements, as they reflect inaccurate information and have no relation to this company.
Is there anyone out there still thinking of a class action suit against these snakes? How do we go about getting some resolution with the same types of problems?
I am also interested in starting a class action suit against these [censored]. How can we do it. So many many people in the U.S. have been scammed by them. Please let me know.
Would love to do it. How cam we?
I want in as well on the lawsuit.
Very much into it!
They ruined our honeymoon!
I do, please, include me. I have already sent my complaint to Mexico' s Attorney General
I'm in for the lawsuit
Timeshares have always been a bad buy. But for those who really feel they need one I make one recommendation: Never buy from the developer. Always wait for timeshares to appear on the secondary market, usually at half-price. People like you get excited at the new developments and jump right in, only to become disillusioned later and dump the property onto the secondary market, at a loss, for a patient, informed buyer to take advantage of. http://www.timesharescam.com/
how do I get rid of my timeshare! Help!
Contact Lonestar Transfer, a company out of Texas. They'll free you from your contract for good. You can trust them.
Yes, I do! I have received this message into my email. I think it is from you. I started my complaints and sent it to Mexico's Attorney General. Please, let me know how can I joint this law-suit
Fri, 15 Nov 2019 13:52:02 -0500
Would you be interested in being involved in a class-action suit? I've contacted a law firm and am waiting to hear back whether they'll take the case. Just counting heads at this points to see who might join in in case they come back with a positive answer.
Can a Canadian get involved in this lawsuit ?
I've had a company calling me from New York #[protected] called Fianacial TD.
Something is fishy about them. The said they were trying to help me with the Class Action suit. I would have to use there broker to get $1850.00 . There fee would be 2.48%.
I've been ignoring them for almost a year. However they have up the ante.saying I can make 125, 000 from the suit.
Also Vidanta is going public with there shares.
I also read this group is working for Vindanta..
What's going on with this company?
As I said something is very fishy.
Please contact me at goldvoodoo888@gmail.com regarding information concerning the case and the New York company.
Thank you for a response...Linda
Hello. I just read your comment and this is EXACTLY what I am experiencing at the moment. They changed their operating name but the MO is the same. What was your outcome. They have not asked for any personal info or front money and cannot quite understand it, but stinks scam the entire way. Appreciate any response .Thank you.
Hello At this moment I am going through the same experience as you, I think I have also been fraud, I realized today, what happened to your case?
Did you succeed in suing Vidanta? I'm very interested in doing so. PLEASE let me know the details.
Judith M. Stern
jmstern@scarletmail.rutgers.edu
The resort itself seems very nice, the sales pitch, however, is pure high-pressure sales. The sales people are snakes, their only motive is greed. They have no concern for what is ethical and will “brow beat” you to make their money. It was not worth the free breakfast and $50.00 dinner coupon. When I finally got up to walk away from the table, Luis got in my face and began to argue with me, telling me I couldn’t leave until he said the presentation was over. I continued to walk away as I raised my voice at him. You would think that that would be the end of it, but they will continue to pass you to the next person for a “survey” which turns into another sales pitch…these people are shameless. If you agree to attend the 90 minute presentation you will regret it.Search online for Mayan Palace Timeshare Scams for other “horror stories”:
http://www.timesharescam.com/blog/51-mayan-palace-timeshare-scam/
I booked this trip through vacation VIP last year and I read everything and they did not mention a time share pitch we needed to attend. Everyone was so subtle about it. We were so uncomfortable. We also had a man named Luis. He kept blaming us for having plans that we needed to get to. Also there was an American woman who was so cunty she was like ok so even if its free you won't buy it. I cant believe they'd treat their guests this way or as a company let their employees treat guests this way. I was so uncomfortable and wanted to cry. These people are aggresive