Several people were scammed out of their own money after a Fresno woman posed a real estate agent in Parlier. 

According to Parlier Police, Maria Teresa Flores-Morales preyed on undocumented people who were trying to buy a home. 

Investigators believe Morales spent two year committing these scams taking over a hundred thousand dollars from the victims. 

Parlier Police Chief Jose Garza said they know of six people who were scammed. 

“She would find properties that are foreclosed and she would find these victims all of them undocumented who were looking to buy homes,” he said. 

Morales would show the potential buyers the outside of the home and told the victims she would help them purchase a house, once the victims gave Morales the money for a down payment, the victims wouldn’t hear from her again. 

“We have to do a lot of education here of letting the folks of the spanish speaking population that they can be the victims of the scam even over the phone or in person. So we still have a lot of education to do on our part. It’s out there,” he said. 


Garza said his department is working with Tulare County Sheriff’s Office because they believe Morales possibly committed the same crime in the South Valley. 

Housing broker Garry Carter said don’t give any deposit for a home to any real estate agent. 

He said if it sounds too good to be true than it probably is.

“A realtor will show you homes. I would advise the buyer to call the listing agent on the sign to make sure everything is valid,” Carter said. 

Police believe they’re could be more victims and they’re asking for those victims to come forward. 

Morales was booked on several charges of grand theft but has since posted bail. 

She’ll be arraigned on those charges later this month. 

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