Trafficking Accountants and Companies Sanctioned by US

In a significant crackdown on illegal activities in Mexico, the United States has sanctioned three Mexican accountants and four companies for their involvement in timeshare fraud and other illicit activities.

Sanctions Imposed

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated Griselda Margarita Arredondo Pinzon, Xeyda Del Refugio Foubert Cadena, and Emiliano Sanchez Martinez as Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs). This means that any assets they have in the US or in other countries are now frozen, and US individuals and companies are prohibited from doing business with them.

Accountants Linked to Mexican Drug Cartel

The three accountants were found to be owned, controlled, or directed by, or had acted on behalf of, Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), a Mexican drug cartel that has been linked to numerous violent crimes. They assisted CJNG’s timeshare fraud activities and have familial relationships with previously designated persons.

Griselda Margarita Arredondo Pinzon is the sister of a high-ranking member of CJNG.
Xeyda Del Refugio Foubert Cadena has a husband who was previously involved in drug trafficking.
Emiliano Sanchez Martinez has a father who was also linked to organized crime.

Companies Sanctioned

The four companies sanctioned by OFAC are all Mexican-based and were found to be owned or controlled by the accountants. They include:

Corporacion de Desarrollo y Finanzas, S.A. de C.V., which is owned by Arredondo Pinzon.
Fournier y Asociados, S.C., which is owned by Foubert Cadena.
Two other companies that were found to be controlled by Sanchez Martinez.

Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing

The sanctions are part of a larger effort by the US government to combat money laundering and terrorist financing in Mexico. The country has been plagued by corruption and organized crime, with many politicians and business leaders accused of being involved in illegal activities.

In a related move, the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is urging financial institutions to share information about potential money laundering and terrorist financing activity related to timeshare fraud in Mexico. The agency is encouraging banks and other financial institutions to report any suspicious activity to FinCEN or to local law enforcement.

The sharing of information between financial institutions is critical in identifying and preventing illegal activities, such as money laundering and terrorist financing.
FinCEN reminds financial institutions that they may share information with each other without violating the confidentiality restrictions of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA).

Victims of Timeshare Fraud Encouraged to Report Suspicions

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is urging victims of timeshare fraud in Mexico to report their suspicions. The IC3 can be reached at ic3.gov or by calling the FBI’s toll-free hotline.

In addition, the US Department of Justice’s National Elder Fraud Hotline is available for older victims of timeshare fraud who have been targeted by scammers. The hotline can be reached at 833-372-8311.

The sanctions and urging to share information are part of a larger effort by the US government to combat illegal activities in Mexico and protect its citizens from financial fraud.