This press release highlights the conviction of Shadia Melissa Aguilar Sarmiento, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
She was involved in a timeshare fraud scheme that targeted U.S. and Canadian residents, using fake companies and impersonating attorneys to deceive timeshare owners into paying fees for fraudulent transactions.
The scheme resulted in approximately $2 million in losses for over 50 victims, with Aguilar Sarmiento ordered to pay restitution of over $2 million. She was arrested in January 2024 and has been detained since then.
This case sheds light on the ongoing issue of international fraud schemes targeting vulnerable individuals.
The involvement of multiple agencies, including the FBI and IRS, underscores the seriousness of such criminal operations.