P
ontiac, Michigan – A 28‑year‑old woman, Amanda Escalante‑Lopez, faces ten felony counts for a real‑estate fraud scheme that prosecutors say siphoned almost $200,000 from victims through bogus down payments. The alleged scheme began in early 2024, when Escalante‑Lopez allegedly entered into verbal land‑contract agreements for properties she did not own, collecting money from buyers who believed they were purchasing homes from her. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard described her actions as presenting herself as the owner of nonexistent properties, using a fake notary and issuing fraudulent receipts.

    One victim, 24‑year‑old Damne Zavala, rented a home from Escalante‑Lopez after seeing a Facebook listing. After months of tenancy, the woman offered Zavala a land‑contract purchase. Zavala paid $6,000 as a down payment but never received a title. “I thought I was becoming a homeowner at a young age, and then she ruined that dream,” Zavala said. Another potential buyer’s family friend hired a real‑estate agent to verify the transaction; the agent found that none of the properties were listed under Escalante‑Lopez’s name, but were actually owned by a relative of the suspect.

    Zavala reports that several families have been defrauded, with one family losing more than $50,000. “It’s a lot of families who gave her money, and we hope justice is served,” she added. Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald emphasized that the case is not only about financial loss but also about stripping victims of the security and dignity that come with home ownership.