The person at the center of this case
American timeshare owners and victims of cartel violence
Cold Case · Open - Active Wanted
202 days waiting
CARLOS ANDRES RIVERA VARELA
Justice for American timeshare owners and victims of cartel violence — the trail went cold in 2025, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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suspect
Lead #1What is Rivera Varela's current location and how is he evading capture across Mexico and Colombia?
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evidence
Lead #2What specific timeshare fraud schemes were used and how were victims identified and targeted?
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clue
Lead #3How extensive is the network of elite sicario hitmen units under Rivera Varela's command?
Carlos Andres Rivera Varela is an alleged high-ranking leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) who directed an international fraud scheme targeting American timeshare owners in Mexico, allegedly laundering hundreds of millions to finance the cartel's drug and weapons operations. He is also believed to lead elite sicario hitmen units responsible for extreme violence and assassinations with access to military-grade weapons. A federal arrest warrant was issued on October 28, 2025, in the Eastern District of New York for money laundering conspiracy and providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Case
#712
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and United States District Court, Eastern District of New York
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
📞
contact
Lead #4What financial institutions and intermediaries facilitated the laundering of hundreds of millions in cartel revenue?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Money Laundering Conspiracy; Providing Material Support, Attempting to Provide Material Support, and Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization Caution: Carlos Andres Rivera Varela is an alleged high-ranking leader of Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a major transnational cartel and designated foreign terrorist organization based in Mexico. Rivera Varela and others allegedly directed an international complex fraud scheme targeting American timeshare owners in Mexico.
Over the past decade, this operation allegedly laundered hundreds of millions in alternative revenue to finance CJNG’s drug and weapons trade. Rivera Varela is also an alleged leader of elite sicario hitmen units responsible for extreme violence and high-profile assassinations with access to military-grade weaponry.
On October 28, 2025, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Rivera Varela in the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, Brooklyn, New York, after he was charged with Money Laundering Conspiracy and Providing Material Support, Attempting to Provide Material Support, and Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Remarks: Rivera Varela is a dual Colombian and Mexican citizen.
He has ties to Jalisco, Mexico.
Timeline of Events
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2015-2025
Decade-long fraud and money laundering operation
International complex fraud scheme targeting American timeshare owners in Mexico, allegedly laundering hundreds of millions in alternative revenue
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2025-10-28
Federal arrest warrant issued
Warrant issued in United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, Brooklyn for Money Laundering Conspiracy and Providing Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization
Key Locations
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Case Information
Incident:Invalid Date
Last Updated:May 12, 2026
Up to $245,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
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Case Information
Incident:Invalid Date
Last Updated:May 12, 2026
Up to $245,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case