Two Michigan grandparents, Christy and Paul Akeo, were detained in Mexico for over a month due to a timeshare dispute. They were held in a prison in Cancun for 32 days after being arrested by Mexican authorities. Their daughter and son-in-law thanked President Donald Trump, Special Envoy Adam Boehler, Congressman Tom Barrett, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and others for working to secure their release. Rep. Barrett went to great lengths to secure the release of the Akeos, who were receiving care from physicians and therapists.
The Akeos were arrested in March after disputing credit card charges related to a timeshare they purchased in 2021. The charges were for fraud, and they were being held in a maximum security Mexican prison. The couple purchased a Cancun timeshare for a term of 11 years but filed a complaint with American Express due to issues with the services provided by Palace Elite Resorts. American Express sided with the Akeos, issuing a chargeback of over $116,000 in September 2022.
The Mexican officials claimed that the Akeos defrauded the hotel company for over $100,000, while the Akeos maintained that they had done nothing wrong. The hotel stated that the Akeos had breached their contract by promoting and profiting from their benefits on social media, which was against the terms of their agreement. The Akeos disputed this claim, stating that Palace had given them no other choice but to sign certain documents.
The Palace Company alleged that the Akeos began disputing their membership charges with their credit card companies despite using the services actively. This resulted in over $100,000 in reversed payments and financial harm to Palace Elite. The company filed a criminal complaint in August 2023 against the Akeos. The Akeos’ attorney argued that the dispute should have been resolved in a civil suit and should not have led to their imprisonment. The Akeos’ situation has highlighted the risks associated with timeshare disputes in foreign countries.
Overall, the case of the Akeos serves as a cautionary tale for Americans engaging in timeshare agreements in foreign countries. It underscores the importance of understanding the terms of such agreements and seeking legal advice if disputes arise. The efforts of Rep. Barrett, President Trump, and others in securing the release of the Akeos highlight the importance of diplomatic intervention in such cases. The Akeos have been reunited with their family and are now focused on healing from their ordeal after spending over a month in a Mexican prison.
