Source: Office of United States Attorneys
McALLEN, Texas – A 55-year-old McAllen resident has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Mayela Saby Cantu admitted she knowingly participated in a scheme that used falsified lien payoff statements, fraudulent warranty deeds and deceptive emails to mislead lenders, title companies and property buyers.
From November 2020 until her arrest, Cantu defrauded buyers and lenders in multiple property transactions while working at Sierra Title in McAllen. Using her position of trust, she facilitated closings backed by falsified documents. In one notable case, 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. By concealing the true nature of these deals, she caused significant financial harm to the affected parties.
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.
The FBI, McAllen Police Department and Texas Department of Insurance conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric D. Flores is prosecuting the case.