A McAllen resident has admitted to her involvement in a wire fraud scheme amounting to $350,000. Mayela Saby Cantu, 55, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, as announced by U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Cantu acknowledged her role in a fraudulent operation that involved the use of falsified lien payoff statements, fraudulent warranty deeds, and misleading emails. These tactics were employed to deceive lenders, title companies, and property buyers.

The fraudulent activities took place from November 2020 until Cantu's arrest while she was employed at Sierra Title in McAllen. In exploiting her position of trust within the company, she facilitated property closings using counterfeit documents. One significant instance involved creating a fake email address mimicking that of a legitimate lienholder. This account was used to send false payoff amounts via interstate wires, resulting in the improper disbursement of over $350,000 by a title company.

Further fraudulent transactions orchestrated by Cantu included arranging closings on properties that had already been sold and accepting undisclosed cash payments. These actions caused considerable financial damage to those affected.

Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane is scheduled to impose sentencing on March 3, 2025. Cantu could face up to 20 years in federal prison along with a potential fine of $250,000.

Until the sentencing hearing takes place, Cantu has been allowed to remain on bond.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI, McAllen Police Department, and Texas Department of Insurance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric D. Flores is handling the prosecution.