$30M timeshare refund scam had ties to Fresno, DOJ says

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A man and woman from Fresno are among 15 people arrested in connection with a $30 million timeshare refund scam, which federal officials say preyed on older people across the country.

Prosecutors say 33-year-old Antonio Palafox Aguilar and 29-year-old Jennifer Magana, both from Fresno, were among the 15 people arrested as part of what investigators called “Operation Silver Shores.” Court documents allege that the transnational fraud operation cheated 372 victims out of their money.

“A federal grand jury here in Fresno has returned an indictment charging more than 20 members of a transnational fraud organization…with wire fraud and money laundering crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Grant during Tuesday’s announcement. Grant stated that the operation also had gang connections.

According to federal officials, the refund scam started when members of the criminal organization contacted their victims using phone calls and emails, telling their victims that they were attorneys and government officials. The victims, many of whom had already owned or previously owned timeshares, were told that they could get money from legal settlements regarding timeshares.

The money was then laundered through what prosecutors say was a “complicated web of shell companies, fictitious business names, and financial accounts.”

Those arrested and charged with wire fraud include:

• 34-year-old Piera Salgado Teleki of Berkeley
• 36-year-old Maira Liset Chavez of Marysville
• 39-year-old Sergio Madrigal Lacayo Jr., of Stockton
• 44-year-old Celina Martinez of San Jose
• 32-year-old Ashley Molina of Amarillo, Texas
• 40-year-old Carlos Zamora of Port Saint Lucie, Florida
• 42-year-old Stephanie Alonzo of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• 32-year-old Ricardo Plascencia of Amarillo, Texas
• 45-year-old Samuel Lopez of Amarillo, Texas.
• 40-year-old Veronica Puentes of Port Saint Lucie, Florida

Federal prosecutors say the maximum statutory penalty for wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud is 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Others arrested and charged in connection with the crime include:

• 33-year-old Antonio Palafox Aguilar of Fresno
• 39-year-old Felix Alejandro of Bakersfield
• 33-year-old Alejandro Cuarenta of Bakersfield
• 29-year-old Jennifer Magana of Fresno
• 27-year-old Anthony Chavez of Fremont

Investigators have so far identified and seized more than $1.5 million of the victim’s funds.