Dream vacation to Cancun turned into a nightmare when Navy Veteran and Wife Arrested over an alleged fraud dispute with a timeshare company. Paul Akeo, a 58-year-old Navy veteran, and his wife Christy, 60, have been detained in a Mexican prison since March 4, accused of defrauding The Palace Company, a major hospitality business in Mexico. Their family insists the charges are baseless and are calling on the U.S. government to intervene.
The Dispute Over Timeshare Payments
The case against the Paul and Christy Akeo originates from a timeshare agreement they signed in 2021 with Palace Elite, a subsidiary of The Palace Company. According to the couple, they entered the agreement believing they would receive certain benefits and services.
However, after some time, they claimed that the company did not fulfill its promises. Frustrated, they disputed nearly $117,000 in credit card payments through American Express, arguing that the resort had breached its contract.
Palace Resorts, on the other hand, asserts that the couple fraudulently reversed legitimate charges despite using their membership benefits. The company claims the couple not only disputed the payments but also encouraged others to do the same via social media.
In August 2023, Palace filed a criminal complaint in Mexico, which led to the couple’s arrest upon arrival in Cancun. Mexican authorities allege that canceling the credit card payments constituted fraud, and in March 2025, they formally announced the charges.
Read : Navy Veteran’s Bet Mysteriously Canceled After He Won $389,000 on BetMGM
The couple’s attorneys, however, argue that this is a civil dispute that should be settled in court rather than through criminal charges. They also claim that the resort company is retaliating against the Paul and Christy Akeo for criticizing its services and warning others about their experience online.
Imprisoned in a Maximum-Security Prison
Since their arrest, Paul and Christy Akeo have been held in a maximum-security prison in Mexico. Their daughter, Lindsey Hull, describes the situation as a terrifying ordeal for the family. “The urgency is beyond important because we have no idea what is happening to them at any time. Their lives are in danger. Their health is declining. We need to get these people home,” she said.
Their attorney, John Manly, has also spoken out about the conditions they are facing, describing the facility as a “hell hole.” He insists that the couple is being unjustly detained and that the timeshare company is using the criminal justice system to pressure them into settling the financial dispute.
Read : First Time in Indian Military History: Two Classmates Will Serve as Army and Navy Chief Together
The Akeos’ case has caught the attention of Michigan Representative Tom Barrett, who has vowed to push for their release. The U.S. State Department has acknowledged the case but has not provided details on its actions.
Growing Concerns Over Timeshare Fraud and Travel Risks
The controversy surrounding the Paul and Christy Akeo’ arrest has raised alarms about the risks associated with timeshare agreements in Mexico. Many vacationers have complained about deceptive practices by resorts, where customers are lured into signing contracts with misleading promises. Disputes often arise when members realize that the promised benefits do not exist or that they are being charged unexpected fees.
Another traveler, Jenn Bartko, recently had a similar experience with Palace Elite Resorts. She and her husband signed up for a membership but later found out that the promised perks were not available. They successfully disputed an $8,355 charge with their credit card company but are now afraid to visit Mexico for fear of facing legal repercussions.
Bartko, like many others, has called for increased awareness about these issues. “I just want more people to be aware of the scam, and this company needs to be stopped,” she said. Many other travelers have reported filing complaints with PROFECO, Mexico’s consumer protection agency, but it remains unclear whether any significant action has been taken.
For now, Paul and Christy Akeo remain imprisoned as their family fights for their release. Their case has become a warning to travelers about the potential dangers of engaging in financial disputes with Mexican businesses, especially in the timeshare industry. Whether the U.S. government will intervene remains to be seen, but for the Akeo family, time is running out.