Smart Travel proposed to purchase a timeshare from me. They were working with a "law firm" named Pacheco Attorney at Law, which is likely a shadow, They are using a legitimate name of a real California attorney, but are likely not true attorneys.
All of the paperwork is very official-looking, with notarized documents, letters from the secretary of the exterior of Mexical, California state seals and such.
The man passing himself off as the attorney is very articulate and informative on the phone calls. They arranged a wire transfer for me to get the title release (from Mexico) In short, every step of this is false, with scams at every level.
Once the wire transfer fee went out from my bank account, there were no responses from anyone, no one answering phones, no email confirmations--nothing.
Now, there is no response from Smart Travel, and all of its contact information is now leading to dead ends. It appears that they are using others' names and being imposters. It also appears that the scam involves all of the various entities as they coordinate with each other.
The man posing as "Ernesto Pacheco" is very articulate and will talk to the customer in ways that show he understands their frustrations with resort property sales, international legalities, etc. DO NOT BE SCAMMED by him.
Same scenario with us. Wanted $5300 to transfer timeshare then when it came time for us to receive funds, the Mexican government wanted $12500 for taxes on the sale to be paid by us. Smart Travel was who contacted us too. This is a very elaborate scam and all paperwork looks legit. My own personal attorney even reviewed the paperwork. I've been researching this for 6 months now and it all seemed legal. Asking for more money was definitely a red flag. The real "Ernesto Pacheco" is a public defender in Los Angeles. I have notified him that his name and license number is being used for fraud.
I was contacted by a company going by GDS. I received a 4 page document from Pacheco. Did some searching & found this web site. I have cut all communication with these people. THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME MONEY!!!!
I just fund all these revues and wish I would seen this long time ago. They always toll me that if I didn't go through with it I would have to go to court and could be arrested if I step foot in Mexico. I have over $50000 put in this. Any one would have any idea on how I could get at least some of my money back please . I would be so thank full.
I should have known better, the phone calls, the time I wasted on the web pages verifying, in all I lost $21000.00 the documents all looked legal and the individual calling his self Ernesto Pachenco sounds very professional. The bar # he is using is real but not his. I am turning this information over to the FBI but they will not be able to retrieve my money but hopefully they can stop others from being scammed.
I just received a document statement that a deposit from the buyer has been submitted. There's no way i'm giving them any money to finalize a transaction though. Ill update as i go.
Pacheco Attorney at Law Reviews
Smart Travel proposed to purchase a timeshare from me. They were working with a "law firm" named Pacheco Attorney at Law, which is likely a shadow, They are using a legitimate name of a real California attorney, but are likely not true attorneys.
All of the paperwork is very official-looking, with notarized documents, letters from the secretary of the exterior of Mexical, California state seals and such.
The man passing himself off as the attorney is very articulate and informative on the phone calls. They arranged a wire transfer for me to get the title release (from Mexico) In short, every step of this is false, with scams at every level.
Once the wire transfer fee went out from my bank account, there were no responses from anyone, no one answering phones, no email confirmations--nothing.
Now, there is no response from Smart Travel, and all of its contact information is now leading to dead ends. It appears that they are using others' names and being imposters. It also appears that the scam involves all of the various entities as they coordinate with each other.
The man posing as "Ernesto Pacheco" is very articulate and will talk to the customer in ways that show he understands their frustrations with resort property sales, international legalities, etc. DO NOT BE SCAMMED by him.
Pacheco Attorney at Law Reviews
Hello, I'm in the same position now.
Smart Travel contacted me as well and now I got contacted by Pacheco Attorney at Law , they have not ask for any money YET.
Did they ask you for money?
how much?
What was the reason they need the money for?
Thanks for sharing your experience
SCAM
Same scenario with us. Wanted $5300 to transfer timeshare then when it came time for us to receive funds, the Mexican government wanted $12500 for taxes on the sale to be paid by us. Smart Travel was who contacted us too. This is a very elaborate scam and all paperwork looks legit. My own personal attorney even reviewed the paperwork. I've been researching this for 6 months now and it all seemed legal. Asking for more money was definitely a red flag. The real "Ernesto Pacheco" is a public defender in Los Angeles. I have notified him that his name and license number is being used for fraud.
Scam?
I was contacted by a company going by GDS. I received a 4 page document from Pacheco. Did some searching & found this web site. I have cut all communication with these people. THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME MONEY!!!!
Scam
They are asking 4300 usd for release serticat and then they will ask you 1000 usd for taxes of seling... you shouldcre port this to the autority...
Same - Different Sales Firm
My initial contact was from Priority Travel Destinations.
Big Scam
I just fund all these revues and wish I would seen this long time ago. They always toll me that if I didn't go through with it I would have to go to court and could be arrested if I step foot in Mexico. I have over $50000 put in this. Any one would have any idea on how I could get at least some of my money back please . I would be so thank full.
Pachenco at Law
I should have known better, the phone calls, the time I wasted on the web pages verifying, in all I lost $21000.00 the documents all looked legal and the individual calling his self Ernesto Pachenco sounds very professional. The bar # he is using is real but not his. I am turning this information over to the FBI but they will not be able to retrieve my money but hopefully they can stop others from being scammed.
Same
I just received a document statement that a deposit from the buyer has been submitted. There's no way i'm giving them any money to finalize a transaction though. Ill update as i go.