The Krebs case study claims that the couple was unable to "legally sell" the timeshare due to their remaining payments.
So these scammers were asking them to do what--illegally sell to them? What are the consequences or repercussions of a premature sale?
"Hey, yeah, we know we've got a bad investment; looks like some Mexican sucker is calling us to let us off the hook!"
If this is true, and the couple was cooperating knowingly with a gray-market transaction, then their hands weren't clean at all, and I can't muster any sympathy here.
The usual litany of red flags: they cold-called you. You did no due diligence, probably because you knew they had to be shady. They promised you money, but then asked for advance fees. What legit consumer just falls for all that, unless they're desperate and shady themselves?
Lie down with dogs, wake up with fleas.