Oakland County Woman Scams Home Buyers In Real Estate Scheme: Prosecutor

PONTIAC, MI — An Oakland County woman is facing multiple charges after scamming prospective home buyers, according to prosecutors.

Amanda Escalante-Lopez, 28, of Pontiac, was charged with three counts of false pretenses $20,000-$50,000 (15-year felony), three counts of false pretenses $1,000-$20,000 (5-year felony), one count of larceny by conversion $20,000 (10-year felony) or more and three counts of larceny by conversion $1,000-$20,000 ((5-year felony).

Prosecutors said Escalante-Lopez made verbal agreements with prospective home buyers for land contracts and title to homes in Pontiac that she did not own.

The prospective home buyers gave Escalante-Lopez a down payment, but they never received keys, access or titles to the homes, prosecutors said.

"For many, homeownership is the ultimate financial goal after years of hard work," Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said. "These allegations are about more than the theft of money. It is about robbing victims of the security and dignity that comes from purchasing a home of their own."