Federal authorities say two Mexican nationals accused of running a nearly $1 million real estate fraud scheme involving properties in San Diego were arrested Tuesday shortly after entering the United States.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Victor Hugo Villalobos Almazan and Nayeli Noemi Montoya Rodriguez were detained at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston after flying in from Mexico. Both appeared in federal court on Wednesday to face charges of wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft. A detention and identity hearing is scheduled for later this week.
Investigators allege the pair posed as legitimate owners of vacant or undeveloped properties across San Diego County, forging notary signatures and selling the parcels to unsuspecting buyers. Prosecutors say they then routed the proceeds to overseas bank accounts in Mexico and Jordan, collecting close to $1 million across two fraudulent transactions.
According to the complaint, between March and April 2023, Villalobos allegedly impersonated the owner of a vacant land parcel and opened a bank account using a business name that matched the property owner. Authorities say he directed an escrow company to wire the sale proceeds into that account, later sending much of the money abroad.
Montoya is accused of conducting a similar scheme in March 2023, pretending to own a property with a vacant structure and selling it for roughly $400,000. Prosecutors say she opened a bank account under the same “doing business as” tactic and quickly wired much of the money overseas.
Surveillance footage included in the complaint reportedly shows Montoya withdrawing thousands of dollars from ATMs in San Diego, at times accompanied by Villalobos.
Both remain in federal custody as the investigation moves forward.
