Christy and Paul Akeo, a Michigan couple aged 60, have now reportedly been detained in a maximum-security prison in Mexico due to a dispute over a timeshare with Palace Resorts.
The couple was arrested shortly after arriving at Cancun airport for a family vacation. According to Mexican authorities, they were charged with “fraud to a hotel chain” and have now been in custody for 22 days.
Their daughter, Lindsey Hull, expressed her family’s distress, stating that her mother is terrified and frequently cries during their phone conversations.
The Akeos had entered into a timeshare agreement with Palace Resorts, which has locations in Mexico and an office in Florida.
However, when the resort failed to honor the terms of their contract, they disputed the charges and sought assistance from their credit card company. American Express ruled in their favor, refunding over $100,000 in charges that the couple deemed wrongful.
Mexican authorities perceived this refund as the malicious cancellation of 13 transactions and claimed it was an act of fraud. In addition, a Facebook post in which Christy explained to others how to challenge timeshare charges was cited as evidence of fraudulent behavior.
The Palace Resorts subsidiary, Palace Elite, filed a criminal complaint based on these claims.
A judge has allowed the timeshare company six months to compile evidence against the Akeos while keeping them in custody.
The case has attracted significant attention, with concerns about corruption and extortion raised by the couple’s family.
The Akeos were initially detained on March 4, 2025, after an INTERPOL red notice was issued based on the case. Their detention has sparked widespread outrage and calls for their release.
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