Mayela Saby Cantu, 55, of McAllen, Texas, recently pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
The former employee of Sierra Title admitted to exploiting her position of trust to participate in a criminal scheme to defraud lenders, property buyers and other title companies, beginning in 2020. She utilized falsified lien payoff statements, fraudulent warranty deeds and duplicitous email communications to facilitate property closings.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane will impose sentencing March 3, 2025. At that time, Cantu faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. She was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
One incident in particular involved Cantu convincing others to create a fraudulent email address resembling that of a legitimate lienholder. She then used the fake account to send false payoff amounts via interstate wires, leading a targeted title company to improperly disburse more than $350,000.
Additional fraudulent property transactions Cantu was involved in were done by arranging closings on properties that had already been sold, then pocketing cash payments in undisclosed amounts. The affected parties suffered considerable financial harm as a result of these activities, according to Hamdani’s office.
The investigation into Cantu’s crimes was carried out by the FBI, McAllen Police Department and the Texas Department of Insurance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric D. Flores is prosecuting the case.