Texas resident Mayela Saby Cantu has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a scheme that involved falsified lien payoff statements, fraudulent warranty deeds and deceptive emails to mislead lenders, title companies and property buyers.
According to the charges brought against her, Cantu defrauded buyers and lenders in multiple property transactions while working at Sierra Title in McAllen, Texas, from November 2020 until the time of her arrest. Cantu was accused of facilitating closings backed by falsified documents – most notably in a case where she directed others to create a fraudulent email address resembling that of a legitimate lienholder. Cantu then used the fake account to send false payoff amounts via interstate wires, leading a title company to improperly disburse more than $350,000.
Cantu facilitated additional fraudulent property transactions, including arranging closing on properties that had already been sold and accepting undisclosed cash payments.
Cantu was released on bond until her sentencing on March 3, 2025. At that time, Cantu faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
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