The Canary Islands' Dark Conspiracy: Power, Corruption, and the Pillaging of a Dream

Written and published from London under European and UK whistleblower protection and corporate crime laws.

Imagine waking up one day to discover that the world you built—your life’s work—was no longer yours. Not through market forces, not through bad business decisions, but through what appears to be a calculated and systemic conspiracy involving powerful business figures and complicit public institutions. This isn’t a work of fiction; it’s the lived experience of Gil Marer, the whistleblower at the heart of one of the Canary Islands’ darkest sagas.

This story transcends the boundaries of local disputes, reaching into the highest echelons of Spain’s legal and economic systems, and even into international financial markets. It is a tale of how unchecked power and collusion can crush individuals, undermine institutions, and tarnish entire regions.

From Builders to Tourism Titans: The Unexplained Rise of CAM

Construcciones Acosta Matos (CAM) was, until 2017, a modest construction company with no discernible expertise in tourism. Then, almost overnight, they became a dominant player in the Canary Islands’ hospitality sector, launching Mynd Hotels and Canarian Hospitalidad. Their meteoric rise is not a tale of entrepreneurial genius but of something far more sinister: the misappropriation of assets, resources, and business networks that belonged to Sun Rock, a UK-based group whose success CAM hijacked and repackaged as their own.

Through the unlawful seizure of a 220-unit hotel, CAM acquired the infrastructure, clientele, and financial leverage to claim credibility in an industry they barely understood. They expanded the property into a 300-unit resort, allegedly using funds from a fraudulent RIC (Canary Islands Reserve for Investments) tax incentive scheme. This scheme, ostensibly designed to promote local economic growth, became the vehicle for financing CAM’s rise—and the weapon for crushing those who stood in their way.

How to Build a Reputation on Stolen Foundations

CAM’s transformation wasn’t limited to physical assets. They also embarked on an aggressive campaign to whitewash their origins, presenting themselves as champions of sustainability and innovation. Public accolades followed:

• Ernst & Young recognized CAM’s leader, José Acosta Matos, as an entrepreneurial visionary, despite his questionable methods.
• CaixaBank, a financial heavyweight, awarded CAM for contributions to the hospitality sector, opening new doors and cementing their legitimacy.

But these accolades conveniently ignore the bedrock of CAM’s success: resources misappropriated from Sun Rock. This strategy of reputational laundering has allowed CAM to deflect scrutiny and silence critics, presenting a façade of corporate responsibility that conceals a foundation of exploitation.

The Canary Islands Government: Facilitator or Enabler?

What makes this story more than just a tale of corporate greed is the role of public institutions. From the outset, various organs of the Canary Islands government—tax authorities, administrative bodies, and even the judiciary—appear to have acted not as impartial arbiters but as enablers.

The Canary Islands' tax authorities approved a blatantly non-compliant RIC investment scheme that funneled millions into CAM’s ventures. When whistleblower allegations surfaced in 2021, these same institutions turned on the messenger. Instead of investigating the claims, they colluded to protect the perpetrators, launching retaliatory actions against Sun Rock’s companies.

Consider this: local media outlets, such as Canarias7, were allegedly pressured to remove critical coverage of the case, erasing evidence and silencing dissent.

Collateral Damage: The Broader Impact

The repercussions extend far beyond one hotel or one family. CAM’s actions have destabilized the integrity of Spain’s RIC tax incentive program, undermining investor confidence and tarnishing the Canary Islands’ reputation as a safe destination for foreign investment. In Germany, the collapse of FTI Touristik—a tourism giant with connections to this saga—has left a trail of financial ruin, job losses, and shaken confidence in the European travel market.

For the UK, the stakes are equally high. CAM and its affiliates have actively exploited the British travel market, targeting holidaymakers and using events like the World Travel Market to expand their reach. If such practices go unchecked, they set a dangerous precedent for other foreign investors and businesses operating in Spain.

The Cost of Silence

The collusion doesn’t stop at economic retaliation. Sun Rock’s whistleblowing efforts have been met with an orchestrated campaign of silencing and retribution. CAM’s influence has reportedly reached into the judicial and tax systems, leveraging fraudulent certifications to justify punitive actions against Sun Rock’s companies. These actions are not just retaliatory; they are a stark warning to others who might dare to speak out.

A Fight for Accountability

Now, this matter is under the scrutiny of multiple entities, including Spain’s CNMV, EPPO, and OLAF, as well as UK and EU authorities. Marer’s whistleblowing has also drawn attention to the misuse of European public funds, amplifying the case’s international dimensions.

Marer’s demands are clear: full restitution of Sun Rock’s assets, accountability for those involved, and systemic reforms to prevent such abuses from happening again. His battle is not just for his own justice but for the integrity of the systems that should protect all investors and businesses.

The Bigger Picture

At its core, this is a story about power—how it is gained, abused, and protected. It’s about the lengths to which individuals and institutions will go to preserve a façade of legitimacy while burying the truth. But it’s also a story of resilience: how one whistleblower, armed with evidence and determination, can challenge a system that seems rigged against him.

A Netflix-Worthy Drama

With its mix of corporate intrigue, political collusion, and international ramifications, this saga has all the makings of a Billions-style drama. The stakes are real, the characters larger than life, and the outcomes could reshape the future of tourism, investment, and governance in Spain.

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This communication is made in my capacity as an external whistleblower and is intended to highlight matters of significant public interest. All information provided is based on the evidence and documentation available at this time and is shared in good faith under applicable whistleblower protection laws.

Statements or allegations herein should be considered as personal opinions or preliminary findings, pending investigation and confirmation by relevant authorities. I am available to provide further clarification or address inaccuracies as additional information emerges. This communication is protected under laws governing whistleblower activities and freedom of expression.