Vacation Rentals of the Desert, a longtime vacation rental company based in Palm Desert, is under fire after renters and property owners say they’re out thousands of dollars. The company, located near Monterey and Fred Waring, handled upscale vacation rentals across the Coachella Valley. But in January, payments stopped coming.
One of the property owners, Bill Menino, says he’s worked with the company for nearly a decade. “Normally, we’d get paid about a week after the tenant checked in,” he said. “But suddenly we didn’t get a check—and when I followed up, they claimed it had been mailed, then later said their bank account was compromised.”
Despite promises of resolution, Menino says he never received the money. The company blamed "bank fraud" and later claimed the funds had been moved improperly into a business account. Menino says he’s now out nearly $14,000.
Renters were also impacted. One renter, Stephen, shared his story on-air. He was supposed to receive a refund after cutting his stay short and securing a replacement renter. “They reimbursed me with a check that bounced,” he said. “They knew it would bounce. I believe there's fraud taking place.”
The company’s owners, Joaquin and Vicky Murguia, sent out emails claiming their bank account had been compromised and that Vicky was suffering from a serious illness. They added that the company was shutting down and they would try to repay people “if and when” they could.
But that explanation hasn’t satisfied those owed money. As calls to the office went unanswered and emails were ignored, many turned to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. So far, the DA has said the matter appears civil—not criminal—unless fraud can be proven.
Adding to the frustration, records show the Murguias filed for bankruptcy in 2009. That revelation has left some wondering whether history is repeating itself.
In total, people who have come forward estimate that over $1 million may be owed. The company’s website, which once promoted “Premier Valley Vacation Rentals,” remains online, but the phones are silent.
For now, property owners and renters say they feel swindled—and they’re weighing their legal options in hopes of recovering their money.
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By: Fred Roggin
April 30, 2025
