World Luxury Destinations
Complaint 52421 Details

  • Date Occurred: 11/09/2013
  • Reported Damages: $26,000.00
  • !

The complaint is against an online dating profile

The complaint is a listing fraud posted on public forums or sites against an anonymous entity

The complaint is mobile text spam or smishing related against an anonymous entity

The company or person contact no longer exists

International boundaries

We attended a timeshare talk and were shown a very nice resort hotel in Puerto Vallarta. We were told that we could have 8 weeks a year and could sell back 4 per year for 5 years at $1400 a week. They would also sell a timeshare we already owned for at least as much as we paid or the contract would be void. Also, there was no maintenance fees. I checked the internet for red flags and couldn't find any. We signed.
It's been two months and we can't get our membership activated or use their website. Whenever I call, I get someone who can't speak English very well and she just gives lame excuses. The sale of our other timeshare was referred by Continental Resources to Eagle Market Solutions, which has a reputation for scamming people. I set strict ground rules and haven't heard from them since. When I complained, we were referred to another resale company (Sunshine Timeshares) which has many complaints with the Florida Better Business Bureau.
So it's been nearly two months and nothing has happened. For a more detailed account, look up www.worldluxurydestinations.us.

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Comments

  • Al
  • Al SBID #47a0290f88
  • Posted 01/08/2014
  • Frank, it appears as though your premonition of a scam is correct. Thanks for the heads up. I have also posted a report on this website.
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  • Frank
  • Frank SBID #b48fd54b4a
  • Posted 01/10/2014
  • Has anybody ever successfully used a Mexican legal team to get their issue resolved? I've researched it and found that alot of them are scams in themselves. G&G, for example has complaints against them about folks paying a retainer and then nothing being done. Just be careful and do research. Keep a record of names and dates. I'll be submitting a report to the office of consumer affairs. The Attorney General's Office has been more aggressive about going after timeshare scams lately.
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  • John
  • John SBID #17a3d4afa3
  • Posted 01/10/2014
  • Maybe we can try to help each other out. I have contacted The Better business Bureau, I am trying to contact Profeco in Mexico, and I am looking at getting an attorney for my parents. This is horrible. Is their an email you all use that we can keep each other in touch with?
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  • John
  • John SBID #17a3d4afa3
  • Posted 01/10/2014
  • And here is another thing, you think we can use the weeks we bought from WLD at grand miramar? Or are they a scam as well? I already now eagle marketing and cont. resources are bad news.
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  • Frank
  • Frank SBID #b48fd54b4a
  • Posted 01/10/2014
  • I know I'm not going to try and book anything through WLD. That would require sending them money for the reservation. However if there is anybody who reads this who has booked a vacation through them, please let us know about your experience.
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  • John
  • John SBID #17a3d4afa3
  • Posted 01/11/2014
  • Frank, I really want to contact you and keep in touch about the things we are doing to try to resolve this matter! I called the Attorney general in Ill., and they were not too helpful. Is there an email that I can reach you at Frank?
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  • Frank
  • Frank SBID #b48fd54b4a
  • Posted 01/13/2014
  • The latest is that WLD sent out an email. It appears that they've cut loose a number of timeshare resale companies they've referred people to who complained that they've been scammed. Gone are Eagle Market Solutions, International Closing, Meritage Management, and Chicago Title and Trust.
    It seems to me that if Continental Resources were legitimate and customer oriented, that they wouldn't be exposing members to possible scam companies. That is, unless there's a kickback thing going on. The test is coming where I'll attempt to sell back four weeks. There's no good reason that Continental Resources shouldn't just buy those weeks themselves and not trouble members with the hassle and risk of marketing and selling or not selling it themselves, especially when that simple transaction is promised in the contract without any mention of having to go through that.
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  • John
  • John SBID #17a3d4afa3
  • Posted 01/15/2014
  • Frank, I have been on the phone with a few people from WLD, and i did get that email from Ms. Torres about the problem they had with the other companies.Has anyone contacted WLD and complained?? I will make an email just so I can talk with any of the members here to see what they want to share about our fight to get something back...
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  • dapreacher
  • dapreacher SBID #d733d39cf3
  • Posted 01/17/2014
  • my wife and i also attended a grand venetian presentation during mid-november 2011 and just recently was contacted by eagle marketing solutions and we are in process ... no money requested by them yet ... but that is quickly approaching.

    please keep me in the loop as i will do the same from this end.
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  • dapreacher
  • dapreacher SBID #d733d39cf3
  • Posted 01/17/2014
  • my wife and i also attended a grand venetian presentation during mid-november 2011 and just recently was contacted by eagle marketing solutions and we are in process ... no money requested by them yet ... but that is quickly approaching.

    please keep me in the loop as i will do the same from this end.
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  • John
  • John SBID #17a3d4afa3
  • Posted 01/17/2014
  • PLEASE DO NOT SEND THEM MONEY! Ask them why they haven't paid back any of the other people online who they robbed! Did you get the email from World Luxury Destination warning to stay away from Eagle marketing? All these companies are scam artists, and we are thinking WLD is too.
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  • Frank
  • Frank SBID #b48fd54b4a
  • Posted 01/17/2014
  • I think we can add another company to the list. I was contacted by Larry from Royal Members out of Reno NV. There's a catering company by that name there, so I don't know if they're branching out into cons or somebody is using their name as a smokescreen. He wanted to sell my other timeshare, no up front money. I asked for the address of his business and he gave me one, which later I couldn't reference. Got their proposal today and it shows another address. Oops. Anyway, the proposal is another one of those that involves an escrow company. Again, I'll pass. At this point, I don't really see a need for keeping a list unless I decide to put together a who's who of scam artists courtesy of Continental Resources.
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  • John
  • John SBID #17a3d4afa3
  • Posted 01/18/2014
  • I am a pessimist, and it doesn't look good for us. We need to start advertising in the English papers or something. We need to all file with profeco too. These crooks are getting rich off of us.
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  • Kathm
  • Kathm SBID #b7ddaf08ec
  • Posted 01/20/2014
  • Looks like November was a busy time for these guys. They id'ed us with wristbands from Raintree and invited us to a presentation with no timeshare sale for $500 US. Jerry Forney was the sales guy at Mangos we talked to. He showed us a luxury condo at the Grand Venetian said he was representing the Grand Venetian full time ownership. We said no and then he pitched World Luxury Destinations and the great news was they would guarantee to see the three timeshares we had for $56K which would pay for 8 weeks at the Grand Venetian and the membership in the Luxury concierge service offered by WLD. That was $35K. This sound familiar. No maintainence fees, lower costs for each week, the ability to trade and a really nice place. So we bit. They took our credit card (weren't going to charge it) only to reserve the contract until the timeshares were sold 30-60 days. AND they gave us airfare from SF within a years time and a week at the Grand Venetian. To test the deal we asked if they could get us a four bedroom penthouse at the Grand Venetian on New Years week 2012. No problem. boy were we happy until Monday when I started trying to set up the airfare and the confirm the week. The concierge could barely speak english and knew nothing. Worried I called good old Jerry. no problem he said he'd make sure it was all okay and call back. Then I started googling WLD and Continental Resources and I saw what they had been doing. We called Citibank and sure enough they had charged the card. We reported it as fraud and filled out paperwork with Citicard Fraud detection. (this was November 7th, we had signed up for the membership Nov. 3rd) I sent registered letters return receipt to World Luxury Destinations in PV and COntinental Resources at the address Mr. Brooks gave me. The one to Continental Resource came back nobody at that address by that name. I emailed Profeco. We were in PV New Years week (we rented a condo) and met someone on the bus who was going back to Mangos to try and cancel the contract he had signed the day before. Today, three months later CitiCard sent us an email saying they were sorry but they closed the dispute. They said it didn't say on the contract that it could be cancelled , the contract number on the WLD contract and on the Continental Resources contract (that did guarantee in writing a refund) were not the same contract number and any promises were verbal and couldn't be enforced. Amazing that when we were in PV and my son used his credit card for a $200 charge the fraud people immediately locked his card and yet they didn't even question a $35,000 charge!
    We don't know what to do I was going to go back to Mangos when we were there but the Bureau of Tourism person recommended not to. She said that they and the Profeco are aware of this operation. And by the way everyone know Johnny Montalbo aka John Monte of Continental Resources. Its' his condo they show everyone at eh Grand Venetian.
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  • dapreacher
  • dapreacher SBID #d733d39cf3
  • Posted 01/21/2014
  • does anyone know of a deal with wld that actually worked out positively?

    also, has anybody received their username and password so that you can login to wld???

    has anybody actually been able to book and take a vacation week thru wld???
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  • dapreacher
  • dapreacher SBID #d733d39cf3
  • Posted 01/21/2014
  • does anyone know of a deal with wld that actually worked out positively?

    also, has anybody received their username and password so that you can login to wld???

    has anybody actually been able to book and take a vacation week thru wld???
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  • dapreacher
  • dapreacher SBID #d733d39cf3
  • Posted 01/21/2014
  • does anyone know of a deal with wld that actually worked out positively?

    also, has anybody received their username and password so that you can login to wld???

    has anybody actually been able to book and take a vacation week thru wld???
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  • Frank
  • Frank SBID #b48fd54b4a
  • Posted 01/21/2014
  • So far, nobody has successfully made a reservation and I would strongly advise against it. They require that you pay them. After two months of bugging them, they finally let me have a password to the website. Slick site, but again, I'm not about to try and book anything.
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  • John
  • John SBID #17a3d4afa3
  • Posted 01/22/2014
  • For every one of us that posts here, I bet there are around 10-20 that also are victims. Most likely more.
    I would not want to pay WLD anymore money either, I can't trust a company that employs scammers. How do we know that the rooms would be available when we get to Mexico. They already took us for so much, but hopefully one member here finds a solution. We all just got to put in some work.
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  • Kathm
  • Kathm SBID #b7ddaf08ec
  • Posted 01/23/2014
  • The fact that Citi-card waited 3 months to decline our dispute has really put us at a disadvantage on pursuing this as it has been 3 months. I am looking into social media sites and also submitting articles to the PV newspapers. This is worse than the timeshare companies...at least from them you get "something". Also we are taking our case to Mastercard and filing official complaints with Profeco. Would anyone be interested in filing a "group" complaint. I would be happy to create one in addition to the indiviual complaints that you may file. I am going to try and get media attention.
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  • John
  • John SBID #17a3d4afa3
  • Posted 01/23/2014
  • I think we all need to file separately and a a big group. ALL OF US! I have my paperwork printed out, I was also waiting for them to try to fix this mess. I was also offered the chance to cancel my WLD contract like a few here, but they wont return my money. That is so generous of them! So we all need to get together and file one, and than separately. ALSO...
    https://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/complain.shtml
    Thats the texas attorney general site. We can file a complaint online with cont. resources. It doesn't help much, but if anyone asks the Texas Att. General office about Continental resources, the complaint would be on file and hopefully it stops anyone from dealing with these crooks.
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  • Kathm
  • Kathm SBID #b7ddaf08ec
  • Posted 01/24/2014
  • "Mr. Brooks" the person I was directed to deal with at Continental Resources gave me an address in Houston. When I asked him for the address I didn't tell him why and he insisted I should fax all my timeshare info not mail it as it would take too long. (Note that the website does not list the company address.) I used it to send my cancellation of contract letter to (just three business days after we signed in PV), it came back as nobody at that address. Also John Monte the signature on the Continental Resouces contracts and I think WLD as well is known as Johnny Montalbo in PV.
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  • Kathm
  • Kathm SBID #b7ddaf08ec
  • Posted 01/24/2014
  • It's nice they offered to cancel the contract, that means they have the money and don't have to do anything for it! Free money!
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  • Kathm
  • Kathm SBID #b7ddaf08ec
  • Posted 01/24/2014
  • It's nice they offered to cancel the contract, that means they have the money and don't have to do anything for it! Free money! By the way when I was doing my research back in November on these guys I remember seeing that they had another concierge company that was orginally linked to this fraud (let's call it what it is) and when things got "hot" they closed it (in name) and World Luxury Destinations took it's place. Also if you note your credit card receipt it is not linkied to either WLD or Continental Resources. Ours was CELA. Citicard said they change the card processing all the time so it is hard to shut that down. I would love to put up a billboard on the main street on the way to Mangos warning people about this type of fraud. It's not just a timeshare offer it's fraud. They promise a service, don't deliver any of it and make sure the documents aren't linked.
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  • CML
  • CML SBID #a810bea142
  • Posted 01/27/2014
  • I have been dealing with this company since May of 2011 when it was Platinum Access Program and turned into WLD in October 2011. The Story is posted at SqueekyWheel.com. In September I submitted papers to Profeco to register a complaint about this company. As of January 19,2012 they say they can not go forward with my complaint since the address for the company is not valid. I know the address is valid since I was at the Mango in November and told John Mantalbo personally we wanted our money back. We were told WLD had bought PAP's contracts and things would be different in the future. He connected us with Continental Resources, for the sell of our other timeshare and things would be different in the future. Well things are not different. No one answers e-mails or calls sometimes. When the calls are answered the person I want to talk to needs to call me back. I am at a loss as to my next step. Profeco is a waste of time and postage.
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  • CML
  • CML SBID #a810bea142
  • Posted 01/27/2014
  • I have been dealing with this company since May of 2011 when it was Platinum Access Program and turned into WLD in October 2011. The Story is posted at SqueekyWheel.com. In September I submitted papers to Profeco to register a complaint about this company. As of January 19,2012 they say they can not go forward with my complaint since the address for the company is not valid. I know the address is valid since I was at the Mango in November and told John Mantalbo personally we wanted our money back. We were told WLD had bought PAP's contracts and things would be different in the future. He connected us with Continental Resources, for the sell of our other timeshare and things would be different in the future. Well things are not different. No one answers e-mails or calls sometimes. When the calls are answered the person I want to talk to needs to call me back. I am at a loss as to my next step. Profeco is a waste of time and postage.
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  • John
  • John SBID #17a3d4afa3
  • Posted 01/27/2014
  • Everyday go by and more and more people seem to be scammed. Not much else we can do at the moment, but I have been looking everywhere. In the meantime, we can all try to find ways to give them bad press by telling the truth. Here are some ideas...

    http://www.mescam.com/FightingBack.htm

    If anyone has links to English newspapers in Puerto Vallarta or any Timeshare magazines, please post them. I have also been in contact with the Board of Tourism and I am trying to get things started with them. If we can't win we have to hurt their business with the truth about the lies they made.
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  • Kathm
  • Kathm SBID #b7ddaf08ec
  • Posted 02/13/2014
  • I just sent letters to the editor of three English publications in PV and Guadalajara Today with the following comments under the title: Pirates Freely Operating in Puerto Vallarta
    In November, 2011 my husband and I were vacationing in Puerto Vallarta and encountered one of the many guys pitching timeshare presentations. Our new amigo “Eric” insisted he had a different proposition that absolutely did not involve timeshares, it was for the Grand Venetian the full ownership condos in PV. We had seen the property on the way from our timeshare at the Westin and thought it would be interesting plus there was an offer of $500US or a week at the Grand Venetian and two airline tickets from any major hub in the US or Canada. ( Eric identified us as having a timeshare at Raintree and mentioned that Raintree might be selling the PV property.)

    Prior to the presentation I did a web search on the Grand Venetian and it seemed to be on the up and up. I later realized I should have searched differently. We were met at Mango’s restaurant by Jerry Forney, the sales guy and after breakfast we sent over to the Grand Venetian. Even though we were impressed with the facility we had no intention of buying into a full ownership property and back at Mango’s we told Jerry that.

    Then he suggested something that did sound interesting. He said we could purchase “weeks” at the Grand Venetian that had no maintenance fees through a membership in World Luxury Destinations. The first price discussed was too high and we declined. Then he added an enticing twist, they worked with a company that would sell our two timeshare memberships (Raintree and Mayan Palace) for $53,000 and that money could be used to purchase the membership in World Luxury Destinations. World Luxury Destinations they said worked with developers on high end properties and offered a “high end” concierge service to provide weeks at the resorts to its members at a fraction of timeshare maintenance fees.

    We balked at the price. He then switched to plan “B” a contract that the purchaser’s couldn’t pay for that we could purchase at a discount which including transfer fees totaled $35,000. No money would be required, Continental Resources would take care of the sale of the timeshares and the payment to WLD and we would receive the remainder. On top of this everything would be guaranteed and if the timeshares were not sold the contracts would be cancelled. (There’s really a lot more details to the sales pitch but suffice to say we felt pretty safe.) He asked for a credit card number (which was not to be charged) as a guarantee until the sale of the timeshare was concluded to hold the contract similar to holding a hotel reservation as he explained it. At the conclusion, they said that instead of the $500 we could have the week and airfare. To close the deal we asked if they could get us a five bedroom penthouse at the Grand Venetian New Year’s week 2012 (which we knew was a tough time for time share reservations.) “No problem” they said it’s all set just call the WLD concierge when you get home. We left two separate contracts, one for World Luxury Destinations and one for Continental Resources with the guarantee that everything could be cancelled by either party.

    Upon our return we found that we had been victimized by a well constructed fraud operation (that is apparently well known by the Profeco and locals in PV.) Here are the facts:

    • Visitors to Puerto Vallarta who are wearing timeshare wristbands are targets for this scam.
    • Unlike most timeshare sales you receive absolutely nothing for your money
    • World Luxury Destinations is a “shell”. Many postings on the web indicate that “members” have yet to get any services or their money back. The concierge service appears to be one or two locals who barely speak English.
    • Continental Resources (which has no listed address on its website) is also a “shell” which takes the timeshare information and never sells anything.
    • John Monte, the signatory on the contracts is actually Johnny Montalbo, PV resident linked to this and similar scams
    • The Grand Venetian is just the latest property to be used this way, the Grand Miramar was another location.
    • World Luxury Destinations replaced a previous organization. In May of 2011 it was Platinum Access Program and turned into WLD in October 2011. The Story is posted at SqueekyWheel.com. May of 2011 when it was Platinum Access Program and turned into WLD in October 2011. The Story is posted at SqueekyWheel.com.
    • For one of many internet discussions on this operation go to:
    http://www.scambook.com/report/view/52421/World-Luxury-Destinations-Other-for-$26000.00-on-11-09-2011#comment-12474

    Jerry Forney, Johnny Montalbo or John Monte and their operation are very good at what they do, which is steal your money! Your readers need to Beware! We love PV but this experience has really impacted our view of Puerto Vallarta.

    Kathie Hackler


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  • earthmother
  • earthmother SBID #3e9f8be207
  • Posted 02/13/2014
  • I have had success in prior issues by taking the issue to the public like many of you are suggesting. Letters to the English speaking newspapers in Puerto Vallarta is helpful as well as the travel magazines. I've had articles published in Timesharing today (a very helpful magazine and resource). You can post on their message board (google timesharing today) without becoming a subscriber and you can also submit articles to [email protected]. I would suggest also submitting articles to AAA travel magazine, Frommers, call your local TV station consumer help line, file a complaint with the Justice Dept in texas, file with ARDA which has oversight over hotels/resorts and has a fraud department. Kathm.....think you posted on my complaint saying Citibank had not honored your fraud complaint.....I would also pursue that if they don't reverse their decision with the various TV consumer complaint services. In the bay area, most of the TV stations have volunteers who take consumer complaints about problems like this and when the glare of TV cameras is trained on a credit card company or bank, it is surprising how they reverse their harsh decisions.
    By the way, I have tried several times to submit the credit card statement showing the charge and the guarantee letter so my complaint would be "verified", but it will not post. The form keeps having a pop up saying to submit it in JPEG (which it is ) and under 8mg (it is much smaller than this). Any ideas on how to get it submitted? Probably good idea to post letters we send here to benefit others.
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  • Kathm
  • Kathm SBID #b7ddaf08ec
  • Posted 02/14/2014
  • Good idea on the TV coverage. I intend to use all forms of media possible. I wanted to add that apparently WLD says they have offices in Cancun so this same scam may be operating there! I notice that they have been expanding their website to make it look more legitimate. BEWARE!
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  • jabobutch
  • jabobutch SBID #2cc1eff0ea
  • Posted 02/16/2014
  • We were enticed in August 2011 to buy a WLD timeshare with the condition that our old timeshare will be sold by Horizon. Two weeks ago, horizon said that our file is ready for liquidation. Now, horizon is not answering our phonecalls/emails anymore.
    We would be needing all the help that we can get. Pls email us at [email protected].
    Thanks.
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  • jabobutch
  • jabobutch SBID #2cc1eff0ea
  • Posted 02/16/2014
  • We were enticed in August 2011 to buy a WLD timeshare with the condition that our old timeshare will be sold by Horizon. Two weeks ago, horizon said that our file is ready for liquidation. Now, horizon is not answering our phonecalls/emails anymore.
    We would be needing all the help that we can get. Pls email us at [email protected].
    Thanks.
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  • Kathm
  • Kathm SBID #b7ddaf08ec
  • Posted 02/17/2014
  • Has anybody noticed that World Luxury Destinations is beefing up it's website from a single page. It has several resorts including the Grand Mayan and Grand Venetian when you click on the "Book it" it takes you to a page that says to call them....They are really trying to look legit but they are not.
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  • j-k
  • j-k SBID #15938aa1ff
  • Posted 03/06/2014
  • PLEASE READ YOU HAVE 5 DAYS TO CANCEL
    I was there this feb as well their game has change they run my card without my approval they say was a misunderstanding
    and they can refund my money right away if i sing the receipt ( they had the credit card machine there) i sing it(my fault but i didnt expect to be so crooked ) after the give me a paper with no name only legal rep and a signature(the main guy on the sales was john monty what a supprise i start to thinking that person doesnt exist) with a promise of 100 % of resale to be return to me, after i raise hell they change it to the amount that they charge, but they will return it in 30 days cause it takes time for the whole process to go throw .
    I figure or i will start a fight or i have to find a mexican lawyer, i asked and found the tourist police(locate on the building across from the theater on the walk board corner office) most of the plp in there working part time so be there before noon they are really helpful and REALLY try to help you and no the resorts, I guess the must afraid them or they have some kind power over them cause in a ONE day they refund my money and the fees and i figure out the correct name of the legal rep is alex diaz . I m assume he knows what is going on and he looks the other way, but mostlyare the sell plp they dont want you to talk or complain to him for 5 business days (that is by law the time you have to cancel FOR NO FEES) cause after that they take their commission and you are SOL.The worst thing is that most of the salesman are americans or canadians i hope to be able to help someone with this post to avoid felling a victim to those "timeshare sharks"
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  • Kathm
  • Kathm SBID #b7ddaf08ec
  • Posted 03/13/2014
  • Finally after months of "review by the supervisors" Mastercard has denied our claim based on the fact that the credit card receipt was signed. They don't care that we reported the operation was a fraud withing two business days. They don't care that we have received none of the promised services. They are sending us a letter with the attachment of the "merchants reply" . Not sure what to do now.
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  • j-k
  • j-k SBID #08937738d2
  • Posted 03/14/2014
  • If you have try everything why you dont call the department of tourist bureau in puert vallarta you never know open a complain and send them your paper work here is their phone number 2268080 and again the owner of the mango operation (look your contract and your paper work if you can find somewhere this company BIYALDI ESTRATEGIAS TURISTICA SA DE CV) is alejandro diaz the john monty is a front man head of sales
    PS i think the area code for the phone number is 322 and from usa have to put 052
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  • Kathm
  • Kathm SBID #b7ddaf08ec
  • Posted 03/14/2014
  • I did fill out a complaint when we were in PV the week of January 1st. My husband wanted to go back to Mangos but they recommended we no go there and confront them. They are having a big convention either this week or next week to promote PV. Maybe I can create some interest associated with the convention.
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  • earthmother
  • earthmother SBID #fe53b21272
  • Posted 03/14/2014
  • Not sure where you live KATHM...TV.channel 7 (Finney on your side) in the bay area just yesterday got credit card company to reverse their denial of credit card refund. Often when confronted with the glare of publicity, the credit card companies will reconsider. i was promised complete packet of documents re sale of my two timeshares by Continental Resources in Dec.....still have received nothing. They also did a big shell game regarding the supposed free flight back to PV and free week which they gave me in lieu of the promised "gift" for attending their day long sales presentation. I have called James Brooks and emailed him several times, but he has not responded in several weeks now. i just received an email from one of the timeshares they were supposedly selling (this one is in Puerto Vallarta, the other one is in Kauai) detailing extensive fraudulent activities by these shell companies. I will try to copy and paste their email in another post. I really think taking it public.....going to tV, newspapers, travel magazines (especially Timesharing Today) would be helpful. From prior experience, the Mexican court system, Mexican attorneys are a waste of time and imho corrupt. I am rooting for you!!
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  • Kathm
  • Kathm SBID #b7ddaf08ec
  • Posted 03/14/2014
  • I live in the SF Bay Area and thought about Finney on your side. I also was thinking 20/20 or Dateline as the scope of this scam seems huge. I was thinking about creating and issueing a press release on this as well but haven't thought through the logistics. Peter Greenberg the NBC travel guy is someone else. I wouldn't want to be "on camera" myself but it would be interesting to see Chris Hansen take these guys on.
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  • earthmother
  • earthmother SBID #fe53b21272
  • Posted 03/14/2014

  • -------Original Message-------

    From: Paulina Martínez
    Date: 3/12/2012 10:16:19 AM
    To: destinatarios-no-revelados:,
    Subject: BEL AIR VACATION CLUB

    Dear Members:
    In the past months It has being brought to our attention that several "Ghost" companies have being contacting Members for this and other Vacation Clubs within Mexico... even though this professional scammers change their tactics and the companies names (So people cannot find their frauds on line) we have identified different names for this "Ghost entities".

    The new strategy of some of these "companies" is saying Bel Air has hired them in order to buy memberships for resale them.

    International Properties (Supposedly based on Chicago)
    Holiday Property Managment (Supposedly based on Ohio)
    Dallas Resale Group (Suppossedly based on... Dallas)
    Vacation International Inc (suppossedly based on Michigan)
    Luxury Property Management (Suppossedly based on Dallas)
    RedWood Property M. (Supposedly from Seattle) Note that this is a Legitimate company, but they are using their name only, they have "Phony" website, phones and information.
    Global Marketing
    Meritage Management
    Malibu Event Management
    Allied Management
    All City Managemnet Group
    Premier Marketing Exchange
    Coral Management

    Essential Resorts Ltd (suppossedly based on Miami)
    Global Mkt System (suppossedly based on Gran Caymens)
    Star Real State (suppossedly based on Texas)
    Platinum Realty (suppossedly based on Houston)
    Lakewood Managemnet Services (suppossedly based on Chicago)

    Royal Solutions Company (suppossedly hired by Bel Air to purchase your membership for resale, of course NOT true) (suppossedly based on Oklahoma)
    Global Equity Value
    Resort Condos International Corp. (suppossedly based on Florida)
    Property Management Solutions Inc (suppossedly based on Toronto)
    Diamond Resorts
    Global Closing Services (suppossedly based on Philadelphia)
    Typical Scams:
    One of the current scams that we ha
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  • earthmother
  • earthmother SBID #fe53b21272
  • Posted 03/14/2014
  • some of email did not come through from my PV TS....will try to add here:
    Typical Scams:
    One of the current scams that we have received a significant number of complaints about is the resale scam. Timeshare owners are being targeted by fraudsters who are offering to sell their weeks for them.
    The victims are being asked to pay upfront fees for any number of reasons and then hear nothing more from the scammers - no sales, no refunds. Others are duped into parting with upfront cash - often hundreds or even thousands of dollars - only to find that the supposed buyer has dropped out of the deal. They are then lured to a foreign country to meet a "corporate buyer" who is interested in buying their week.
    How to stay safe
    Make an unsolicited contact i.e. a cold call
    Request any form of upfront payment. Common reasons for an upfront fee are: Escrows, deposits, administration fees, bonds of trust, surety against withdrawal, insurance cover, validity survey, land registry tax, certificate charge and VAT
    Assure you your payment would be fully protected under laws governing the use of Credit Cards.
    Ask for your credit card, debit card or bank details but assure you they will not take any payment.
    Suggest they can obtain an unexpected or unrealistic high price.
    Say they have a buyer waiting to buy your particular timeshare product.
    Ask you to send them your Ownership Certificate.
    Apply undue pressure for a decision within a short time period.
    These people have unlimited imaginations when it comes to stealing your money so don't trust them - no matter how convincing and reassuring they may seem
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  • earthmother
  • earthmother SBID #fe53b21272
  • Posted 03/14/2014
  • more from the email alert from my PV timeshare:
    Assure you your payment would be fully protected under laws governing the use of Credit Cards.
    Ask for your credit card, debit card or bank details but assure you they will not take any payment.
    Suggest they can obtain an unexpected or unrealistic high price.
    Say they have a buyer waiting to buy your particular timeshare product.
    Ask you to send them your Ownership Certificate.
    Apply undue pressure for a decision within a short time period.
    These people have unlimited imaginations when it comes to stealing your money so don't trust them - no matter how convincing and reassuring they may seem.
    Contact us 1 866-978-8448 when receiving a "Cold Call " (Unsolicited)... oue executives will be more than willing to help you.
    or send a email to [email protected]

    I invite you to join Bel Air Vacation Club facebook page.
    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bel-Air-Vacation-Club/163298353721214
    There you will find comments and notes from us and other members!



    The Bel Air Vacation Club
    --
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  • earthmother
  • earthmother SBID #fe53b21272
  • Posted 03/14/2014
  • KATHM.....I am not that familiar with how to use this site....just received an email notice that you said you lived in bay area, though don't see it here. Maybe we could talk on phone and email to plan some joint action since I also am in the bay area and have done quite a bit of press/media stuff in past. Not sure how to connect....but maybe you can email me at [email protected] and we can communicate on strategy.
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  • Kathm
  • Kathm SBID #b7ddaf08ec
  • Posted 03/14/2014
  • One idea I have is to collect the names of the various timeshare resorts that we all belong to and send them emails asking for their help with Profeco. Afterall they are targeting timeshare owners. This is hurting their reputation and owners and potentially diverting money that might be spent adding weeks or upgrading... We have timeshares with mayan palace and raintree vacation club.
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  • j-k
  • j-k SBID #08937738d2
  • Posted 03/14/2014
  • if you have an open claim and if that claim was file with 5 business days from the time that you first sing their contract i think there is a law for customer remorse it may worth to look into
    I know after 5 days those "sharks " will take their commission and then it was hard for you to take your money back
    But another strategy to hurt them is to be outside their place 4-5 plp with big sing that everyone will say how much money has stolen from the person holding it
    But i know it will be hard to organize something like that in a foreign country, but those plp you can hurt them only in the pockets ,an d if they lose a week of sales they will feel the pinch let me know if you need any info and or names
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  • Kathm
  • Kathm SBID #b7ddaf08ec
  • Posted 03/14/2014
  • We did think of that but I read another account by someone who had gone to a presentation and had gotten part of the money and said no and they were assaulted later and forced to give back the money. I'm not sure what kind of people we are dealing with in terms of whether there could be violence. I have sent emails to the Mayan Palace and Raintree asking for their help and support in raising awareness with the public, their owners/members and the local government. We are also talking to a US lawyer to see if we have recourse with Citicard and Mastercard on their denial of our dispute. As soon as we disputed the charge that is an additional notice of our intention to rescind the contract and that was within 2 business days. It really is depressing. I really like PV but this puts a bit of a cloud on it.
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  • Kathm
  • Kathm SBID #b7ddaf08ec
  • Posted 03/22/2014
  • A couple of things to note. Platinum Access Program has morphed into World Luxury Destinations, same scam, address and people, only a different phone number. Their website is still accessible.
    I just got an email from Alberto Lares that supposedly had a newsletter for members. In the CC section were a large number of US and canadian email addresses that I believe represent the members. So we may have a list. I am talking to an attorney on Monday and will ask for some advice on how these could be used to our advantage. If you didn't get the email and want to know if you were cc'ed send me an email.
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  • Al
  • Al SBID #47a0290f88
  • Posted 03/22/2014
  • Kathm, I am glad that I am on the same side of this issue as you. You're relentless and I pray that your efforts are rewarded. I am totally consumed by some of the issues in my life presently, but if there is anything I can do to help please ask. My e-mail address is: [email protected]
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  • Kathm
  • Kathm SBID #b7ddaf08ec
  • Posted 03/27/2014
  • Last night I got an email from someone staying at the Club Regina in Puerto Vallarta. She had been to the presentation at Mangos and when she returned the person at the desk shared the email I had sent to Raintree and Vida Vacations (the Mayan Palace). She wanted to know if I was a "real person" and had sent the email. After I responded that it was my email she sent me the following: ( I'm posting it with her permission.) "I had gone on what was a presentation with this group. I got as far as the pretty rest Mango with my son. My experience was horrible. I had two credit cards with Doctor on them but I took only low line of credit cards with me. I did not qualify they say. When I was shocked and said What they were not very nice about it. I too own more than several timeshares. My 16 year old clean cut son came to my defense saying they should be ashamed of questioning his mothers qualifications. He got threatened by a MEXICAN man that looked like he just got out of prison. This man said he would like to kick the the S--- out of him, and then he progressed to ask my son how old he was to which my son replied 16. This criminal then said to my son holding up two big thists I would kill you if you were 18.
    We were scared but I did not show it.
    When I got back to the hotel I told Fabiola about this. She then shared your email with me.
    Wow! I guess I was lucky. They obviously checked out my credit cards to find out they could not do what they did to your card.
    The sad thing is no one listens in Mexico. I do not know if your email got to the right hands. As no one really seemed to know much about the scam you got yourselves into.
    I believe the best is tug2.net Twitter, Facebook, and any other site your can expose this.
    I once 9 years ago got scammed. I too went beyond my dates. It took 1 1/2 years to get my money back. It was not the big amount you got scammed. You need to write your credit card company just the same. I did and it came back
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  • Kathm
  • Kathm SBID #b7ddaf08ec
  • Posted 03/28/2014
  • Global Resort Transfer Inc. is the company that are currently doing the transfers. Have you heard of them and what the story is about them? They seem to have a lot of complaints as well. Perhaps they have taken too much heat as Continental Resources.
  • Was this helpful?
  • Kathm
  • Kathm SBID #b7ddaf08ec
  • Posted 03/28/2014
  • Global Resort Transfer Inc. is the company that are currently doing the transfers. Have you heard of them and what the story is about them? They seem to have a lot of complaints as well. Perhaps they have taken too much heat as Continental Resources.
  • Was this helpful?
  • Kathm
  • Kathm SBID #b7ddaf08ec
  • Posted 04/03/2014
  • I found this complaint about Johnny Montalbo from a resort property called El Cid in Cozumel....
    " Johnny Montalbo, is John Montalbo, Juan Carlos Montalbo. He did the same thing here and has evaded IRS for some time. He stole earnest money from people by allowing them to think they were all buying the same house. Austin TX is where you need to check on verification, 2001 July I believe. There was a big scam he had going on here including bank fraud which caused some banks to close the business he was working at to close. He doesn't dare come back to US, he is afraid of going to jail. But he has always done this type of scamming, it is nothing new to him or his brother who also resides in Mexico. Mario Montalbo, Anna Montalbo, they too have stolen and used other peoples credit for thier own gain.
    I sympathize with you folks that are going through this, It is about the same thing that happened here in Austin TX in 2001. He had a "ring" of hoodlums working for him then."
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  • Kathm
  • Kathm SBID #455b2a9e86
  • Posted 10/08/2014
  • World Luxury Destinations is now Ultimate Club. I received the following message: "We send you a greeting and we wish to inform you that the company "World Luxury Destinations", due to various reasons cannot longer keep providing the benefits of the membership that you purchased, therefore we would like to offer you a better option and you can continue to enjoy the benefits without losing what you have paid to date.

    If you do not want to continue enjoying the benefits acquired through your membership, please let us know so that we automatically delete your entire information from our database and will not bother you again. Just have in mind that the investment you have made automatically will be lost along with the benefits and privileges.

    We kindly ask you to give us the opportunity to show you how to continue enjoying through our company with more benefits and the best rates and offers without losing your investment.


    Gilberto Melendez
    Customer Service Best Ultimate Club"
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  • Complaint Against World Luxury Destinations
  • Complaints Filed: 37
  • Reported Damages: $1,012,180.13
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