## Real Estate Fraud in La Paz: A Growing Concern
Real estate fraud is rampant in La Paz. A company claiming to offer bank-reclaimed properties is scamming citizens via social media, particularly on Facebook, by promising cheap homes with high resale value that are hard to resist.
Lupita Vázquez Loya, one of the victims, recounts her experience: “I noticed my house was listed for sale with incorrect information such as dimensions and room count. The scammer, Griselda Vergara, known as Grisel Hernández on Facebook, runs a company called Patrimonium Inversiones Inmobiliarias and sets up fake property listings.”
A family member searching for houses on Facebook Marketplace found Lupita’s supposedly available house and contacted the scammer. The fraud involves claiming the property will be repossessed soon due to unpaid debts, which is untrue. They entice potential buyers with assurances of a great deal on a bank-reclaimed property, only payable in full with no credit options.
The scam involves presenting a convincing narrative about the property being available for viewing only from the outside while the so-called current residents await eviction by the bank. Victims are pressured into making quick deposits to secure the deals.
Scrutiny of Patrimonium Inversiones Inmobiliarias shows multiple similar fraudulent listings across profiles of other junior advisors. Their online presence is shady, and a check with the Public Registry of Commerce reveals no legitimate records for the company as claimed.
The scam isn’t isolated. More victims across Baja California Sur have been found, all entrapped by fake property ads and pressured to make advance payments for rentals or sales. Victims have lost money without ever seeing the properties in person. The company’s online portals lack legal notices and appear outdated, further signaling their fraudulent nature.
### Additional News: New Frauds Emerging in La Paz
The Cyber Police of the State Preventive Police warn residents of evolving scam methods. These include fraudulent calls from fake delivery services like Amazon, Mercado Libre, or DHL, where scammers deceive users into providing sensitive information under the pretext of confirming delivery details.
One victim, Jesús García, explained how the scam unfolds by receiving a call asking for delivery confirmation codes, which are in fact WhatsApp verification codes allowing scammers to hijack user accounts.
Residents are advised to enable two-step verification for online accounts and refrain from sharing sensitive information through unverified channels. Scammers are increasingly sophisticated, exploring tech advancements to exploit vulnerabilities.
Stay vigilant, question unsolicited communications, and verify sources before sharing personal data to shield against these tactics.