Absolutely Amazing Vacations

Victim Location 19520

Total money lost $3,724

Type of a scam Travel/Vacations

We were called and told this person had a buyer and wanted to send us a contract to buy our vacation club/timeshare. We looked at the contract and questioned #8 which referred to paying an ‘up front’ fee. It was explained that this fee was to transfer the timeshare. I contacted the timeshare organization who provided me with the amount of the fee and the papers to sell this timeshare. The person who called said we had to give the fee to his organization who worked in concert with an escrow company and they would expedite it to the timeshare organization. We checked Atlanta’s BBB for both organizations (the contact company and the escrow company). There was no negative reference or comment. We asked for a referral and we were given one. After many attempts, we reached this person (living in Oregon) who confirmed he had had a successful relationship with this organization. We then wired the transfer fund to an organization in Mexico. We attempted to ‘over night’ the transfer papers to the organization in Atlanta. That envelope was ‘returned to sender’ without explanation. Next we received a call saying we had to pay a 7% tax from the Mexican government because we were being considered foreign investors. They wanted this money wired to the same place. They said they knew this was a law but didn’t mention it before because it is not often followed. We asked to end the contract since they wouldn’t agree to pay the tax through closing fees. Now they say, that we cannot get our money back because their is a lien on this transaction for the 7% and it must be paid in advance. They even agreed to split the fee 51% 49%. Despite all of the checking, I believe we are being scammed for more money and we cannot get back. This money was intended for use as the transfer fee for the transaction that can not take place (due to this supposed tax). There are many many documents. If they need to be scanned and sent, I can do so.They threatened to sue us and that we would lose our timeshare if we do not comply.