GoGo Travel Consulting LLC falsely represented itself by using the identity of an Indiana-licensed real estate broker without his knowledge or consent, the lawsuit alleges, as part of a scheme to hoodwink consumers into believing they were engaging with a legitimate travel consulting service attempting to broker timeshare rental or purchase agreements. 

“As we work to protect Hoosiers, we will continue holding accountable those who engage in these kinds of illegal shakedowns,” Attorney General Rokita said. “We encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of timeshare fraud to contact our office immediately.”

Older adults are particularly vulnerable to timeshare scams, which often involve high-pressure sales tactics that include bogus claims of having ready buyers for timeshare properties. Victims are typically asked to pay upfront fees for supposed taxes or closing costs, only to find that the promised transactions never occur.  

Attorney General Rokita filed the lawsuit through his Homeowner Protection Unit (HPU), which is part of the office’s Consumer Protection Division. 

HPU’s investigation revealed that the phone number utilized by GoGo Travel, which was spoofed to appear as a number originating from southern Indiana, was ultimately linked to two Mexican nationals living in Puerto Vallarta who are alleged to be conspirators in the fraudulent scheme.     

In conjunction with this legal action, the Attorney General’s office is raising awareness about the broader issue of timeshare fraud, which is often linked to organized crime. According to a joint notice by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), timeshare fraud schemes are frequently perpetrated by Mexico-based transnational criminal organizations. These organizations use the proceeds from such fraud to fund other criminal activities, including drug trafficking and human trafficking. 

Hoosiers are encouraged to contact the Office of the Attorney General about any suspected scams or scam attempts. Consumers may file a complaint by visiting indianaconsumer.com or calling 1-800-382-5516.  

SOURCE: Indiana Attorney General

The post Rokita: Jasper-based Travel Company and Mexican Nationals Deceived Consumers appeared first on Indiana Chronicle.

On February 20, 2025, the investigators, which included Indiana State Police SWAT, the Bluffton Police Department, and the FBI, served a search warrant at an address on Franklin Ave in Fort Wayne, Indiana. While serving the warrant, another victim of human trafficking was recovered. The victim was offered services and medical attention. During the investigation at the Fort Wayne address detectives also found an amount of suspected fentanyl.

With the cooperation of the initial victim, it was determined that Leticia Granados and Harley Cooley were involved in online solicitation of the child and themselves. It was also discovered that there are other victims involved.

Indiana State Police is actively seeking out other victims. If anyone has information involving Leticia Granados or Harley Cooley having contact with victims for sex trafficking, please contact the Indiana State Police Fort Wayne Post at 260-432-8661.

Leticia Granados (21) of Fort Wayne was arrested for:

• Promotion of Human Sex Trafficking of a Child a Level 3 Felony—2 Counts.
• Child Exploitation-Production of Child Pornography Level 5 Felony—1 Count.

Harley Cooley (20) of Fort Wayne was arrested for:

• Promotion of Human Sex Trafficking of a Child a Level 3 Felony—2 Counts.
• Child Exploitation-Production of Child Pornography Level 5 Felony—1 Count.

*All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police

The post Fort Wayne Women Arrested on Human Trafficking Charges appeared first on Indiana Chronicle.