SAN ANTONIO – A 41-year-old woman is accused of stealing more than $10,000 from a man who hired her to help him buy a home.
The man told San Antonio police that he first began doing business with Cynthia Ortiz, who he believed was a licensed real estate agent, in May of last year, according to an arrest affidavit.
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He said Ortiz asked him for an $8,000 down payment, which she called "earnest money," the affidavit stated.
After paying her the money, the victim said Ortiz told him that his deal to buy a particular home had fallen through.
Later, he said, she asked him for another $2,500 deposit which he also paid.
After hearing from Ortiz that the second deal also had fallen through, the man said he consulted with another real estate agent.
He said the other agent discovered that Ortiz had not submitted any paperwork on his behalf to buy either home, and that she did not have a valid real estate license, the affidavit stated.
Police said the victim made several attempts to get Ortiz to return his money, including sending a demand note, all to no avail.
Ortiz was arrested Tuesday on a charge of theft.