McAllen local sentenced to federal prison for wire fraud

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A McAllen resident has been sent to federal prison on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced.

On Dec. 20, 2024, 55-year-old Mayela Saby Cantu plead guilty.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, during the court hearing, Cantu admitted to participating 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 a McAllen title company.

The release states, Canty used her position of trust to facilitate closings backed by falsified documents. In one notable case, she directed others to create a fraudulent email address resembling a legitimate lienholder.

Cantu would then use the fake account to send false payoff amounts through interstate wires, leading a title company to improperly dish out more than $350,000.

Cantu also facilitated additional fraudulent property transactions, including arranging closings on properties that had already been sold and accepting undisclosed cash payments.

Authorities say, by concealing the true nature of these deals, she had caused significant financial harm to the affected parties.

During the hearing, evidence was presented that detailed Cantu's role in the scheme. At the hearing, the victim reported the significant loss due to the defendant's actions and asked the court for a sentence that would operate as a deterrent for others.

Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane ordered Cantu to serve two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

She is also ordered to pay $350,000 in restitution.

Cantu was permitted to remain on bond pending a transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.