The release of a US couple from a grim Mexican jail after 32 days has sent a strong warning to travelers about the potential dangers of challenging timeshare companies abroad. Paul and Christy Akeo of Michigan found themselves behind bars in Cancun, Mexico, after a years-long timeshare dispute with one of the country’s most powerful resort groups escalated into criminal fraud charges.
From Timeshare Dreams to Travel Nightmare
Back in 2021, Paul and Christy Akeo invested over $117,000 in vacation ownership with Palace Elite, a major player in Mexico’s resort industry. When promised services didn’t materialize, they pushed back—first by filing a complaint, and later by successfully disputing the charges with their credit card company, American Express. Their case, echoing thousands of similar stories shared on social media, ended in a full refund from Amex in 2022.
The Akeos likely thought the ordeal was behind them—until they returned to Mexico in March 2025 for a holiday. Upon landing in Cancun, the couple was arrested by local authorities on fraud charges, reportedly at the request of The Palace Company. According to Quintana Roo prosecutors, the couple had illegally canceled payment for legitimate services. The Akeos, meanwhile, say they were punished for speaking out online and encouraging others to challenge the timeshare giant.
Life in a Maximum Security Prison
For more than a month, the Akeos were held in what their attorney described as a “hell hole of a Mexican maximum security prison,” denied house arrest, and isolated from family and friends. Their daughter, Lindsey Hull, launched a desperate campaign for their release, warning that their health and lives were at risk. US officials, including Michigan Congressman Tom Barrett, intervened as media coverage and diplomatic pressure mounted.
According to attorney John Manly, the couple endured appalling conditions and psychological trauma simply for contesting a business deal and sharing their experiences with a Facebook group of dissatisfied Palace Resorts customers. “You’ve imprisoned a highly decorated U.S. Navy veteran, a first responder and a grandmother because they dared to call out your timeshare client’s well-documented deceptive practices,” Manly stated. The timeshare company, for its part, demanded a hefty settlement, a public apology, and a non-disclosure agreement as terms for release.
International Pressure and a Costly Resolution
The case only concluded after 32 days when, under intense international scrutiny, the couple agreed to pay $116,587.84 to a Mexican charity for orphans—a sum equivalent to the original refund. They were immediately released and have since returned to the United States for medical treatment and trauma recovery.
“No American should be held hostage to the demands of a private company anywhere in the world,” the couple’s children said in a statement. Their ordeal has cast a harsh spotlight on the use of local laws by powerful business interests to pursue former customers long after financial disputes are resolved in the United States.
Travelers Warned: Don’t Go It Alone
Experts now urge travelers to seek professional help before confronting timeshare companies, especially in countries where consumer protection laws differ significantly from those in the US or Europe. Greg Wilson, CEO of European Consumer Claims, emphasized that even in Europe, legal victories can be slow and hard-won when powerful timeshare operators are involved. In Mexico, ranked 126th out of 180 countries for corruption by Transparency International, abuses of the legal system can take much more extreme forms.
“Timeshare resorts have a long, established history of consumer exploitation, and are not above abusing the law to the fullest extent,” Wilson warns. “Challenging any powerful business is always risky, as they have the resources to protect themselves. In certain countries, ‘protecting themselves’ can mean at great detriment to the individual consumer.”
Travelers who believe they have been mis-sold a timeshare are advised to consult with consumer protection organizations—such as European Consumer Claims or American Consumer Claims—before taking any action. Professional assistance can make all the difference when navigating complex international disputes, ensuring the traveler’s rights and safety are properly protected.
The Akeo case stands as a cautionary tale for anyone tempted to tackle a resort giant solo. In a globalized travel world, the fine print—and the risks—may follow you long after you’ve left the beach.
