Federal authorities have arrested Victor Hugo Villalobos Almazan and Nayeli Noemi Montoya Rodriguez, both citizens of Mexico, on charges related to a real estate fraud scheme that allegedly generated nearly $1 million. The arrests took place at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston after the two arrived from Mexico. They appeared in federal court in Houston to face charges of wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft. A hearing regarding their identity and detention is scheduled for Wednesday.
According to the complaint, Villalobos and Montoya posed as owners of vacant or undeveloped properties, selling them by forging notary signatures and directing proceeds to bank accounts abroad, including in Mexico and Jordan. The complaint details that between March and April 2023, Villalobos impersonated the owner of a vacant land parcel in San Diego, opened a bank account under his name while claiming to represent the property’s recorded owner, and instructed an escrow company to transfer sale proceeds into this account before wiring most of the funds overseas.
Photo evidence reportedly shows Villalobos delivering documents necessary for the fraudulent transaction at the escrow office involved with the sale.
Montoya is accused of executing a similar scheme in March 2023 by impersonating another property owner and selling real estate with a vacant structure for about $400,000. She also opened a bank account using her own name but indicated she was acting as the property’s recorded owner. After receiving sale proceeds, she wired most of the money to foreign accounts within days and withdrew several thousand dollars from ATMs around San Diego. Surveillance footage captured her making withdrawals alone and accompanied by Villalobos.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Beeler and David Kete are prosecuting this case.
The investigation has been conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.
“The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
If convicted on wire fraud conspiracy charges under Title 18 U.S.C., Section 1349, each defendant faces up to twenty years in prison and a $250,000 fine. For aggravated identity theft under Title 18 U.S.C., Section 1028A, they could receive an additional two-year sentence consecutive to any underlying felony conviction.
