Published: September 3, 2026
Last fact-checked: September 3, 2026
Status: FBI potential-victim outreach active; federal criminal proceedings ongoing.
Submission deadline: No public deadline appears in the Justice Department announcement or FBI questionnaire.
The FBI is collecting information from people who may have lost money in a Mexico timeshare fraud scheme that federal prosecutors allege took more than $40 million from U.S. timeshare owners. The alleged operation used fictional resale transactions, advance fees and taxes, and impersonation of officials or lawyers. The questionnaire may help investigators assess a report, but it is not a refund claim and does not guarantee recovery. Use only the DOJ-linked form and preserve original payment records.
Key Facts
- DOJ announced the case and public victim outreach on September 2, 2026.
- Prosecutors allege the group took more than $40 million from owners of timeshares on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
- Two defendants were extradited from France on August 31 and appeared in court September 1.
- The FBI form asks about financial institutions, dates, losses, aliases, resort locations and supporting records.
- No restitution order, recovery fund, payment schedule or public questionnaire deadline has been announced.
Who Should Use the FBI Mexico Timeshare Fraud Form?
The Justice Department’s September 2 announcement directs people who believe they experienced a fraudulent advance-fee scheme involving Mexican timeshares to submit information. Investigators will try to verify the loss and determine whether it relates to the charged case.
Possible indicators include a caller claiming that a timeshare had been sold, followed by demands for taxes, closing costs or release fees before proceeds could be received. DOJ also describes alleged impersonation of U.S. or Mexican officials and use of real American lawyers’ identities.
Similar losses may belong to other schemes, DOJ warns.
What Prosecutors Allege
Prosecutors named Christian Felipe Rodriguez Peraza, also known as Jose Mario Ochoa Rodriguez; Brenda Tamayo Corona, also known as Jazmin Oliva Chacon; Michael Ian Hollands; and Yorlena Alfonso Cuesta.
DOJ says the indictment charges conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to engage in monetary transactions involving criminally derived property. Prosecutors allege victim funds moved through U.S.-based entities and bank accounts.
The more-than-$40-million figure is an allegation. It is not a court-approved loss total, restitution award or recovery pool.
Each Defendant Has a Different Current Status
| Defendant | Verified status |
|---|---|
| Christian Felipe Rodriguez Peraza | Charged; extradited August 31; initial appearance September 1; no plea or conviction verified. |
| Brenda Tamayo Corona | Charged; extradited August 31; initial appearance September 1; no plea or conviction verified. |
| Michael Ian Hollands | Charged and previously apprehended; DOJ says his matter is pending. |
| Yorlena Alfonso Cuesta | An official court record says a guilty plea was accepted July 27; DOJ says her matter remains pending. The reviewed record does not identify the plea count or sentencing date. |
Cuesta’s status appears in an official GovInfo court record. Allegations against Rodriguez Peraza, Tamayo Corona and Hollands remain unproven, and those defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted.
What the FBI Questionnaire Asks You to Prepare
Use the FBI Mexico timeshare fraud questionnaire linked by DOJ. The form is voluntary and says the FBI may request additional information.
| Topic | Information to gather |
|---|---|
| Financial impact | Financial institution, number of affected accounts, approximate dates and total amount sent. |
| People and businesses | Names, aliases and company names used. |
| Timeshare details | Resort name, location and ownership or resale documents. |
| Evidence | Emails, texts, contracts, payment instructions and transaction records. |
| Earlier reports | Agency names and report, reference or case numbers. |
Use the submission address displayed on the live form, not contact details copied from an unsolicited message.
How to Record the Financial Loss
For a personal worksheet, start with total money actually sent minus money actually returned. Keep promised sale proceeds separate. This is a recordkeeping method, not a court determination of loss or restitution.
Do not alter emails, contracts or payment records.
The Questionnaire Is Not a Refund Claim
DOJ says agencies cannot guarantee that a report will be addressed or funds recovered. Submission alone does not establish verified victim status.
The Justice Department’s federal restitution guidance explains that restitution may be ordered after conviction and sentencing. Even then, full recovery may not occur. No restitution order or payment timetable has been announced here.
What Potential Victims Should Do Now
- Stop sending money for taxes, legal fees, release charges or promised recovery.
- Open the questionnaire through the DOJ announcement or FBI domain.
- Prepare a dated payment timeline and preserve bank, wire, card or check records.
- Save resale offers, contracts, emails, texts, call logs and names or aliases used.
- Contact the bank or card issuer through a verified number if a payment was recent; reversal is not guaranteed.
- Keep confirmation details from earlier IC3, police, bank or consumer-agency reports.
- Never send passwords, verification codes or sensitive records to an unverified contact.
The FBI’s timeshare fraud guidance describes repeat approaches by supposed brokers, law firms and officials. Fiscal Wire’s FBI impersonation scam guide explains how to verify official-sounding contact.
What Happens Next
Update this report after a plea, trial ruling, sentencing, restitution order, questionnaire deadline or closure, superseding indictment or official recovery process.
Bottom Line
The FBI form gives people a verified channel to report alleged Mexico timeshare fraud. It can support the investigation, but it does not promise compensation or prove that a loss belongs to this case. Use the DOJ-linked form, preserve original records and treat fee-based recovery offers as a separate fraud risk.
This article provides general consumer news and fraud-prevention information, not individualized legal or financial advice. Criminal liability, victim status, restitution and recovery depend on evidence, court proceedings and individual circumstances.
Official Source Stack
Direct sources supporting the material claims in this report.
- Official agency release Justice Department's September 2 announcement
- Court filing or order official GovInfo court record
- Official agency release FBI Mexico timeshare fraud questionnaire
- Official agency release federal restitution guidance
This report provides general news and educational information for a U.S. audience. It is not individualized financial, credit, legal, tax, insurance or investment advice. Verify current procedures through the linked official sources.
