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By Brian Hews
A Cerritos man was arrested for taking part in a two-year escrow fee scam that stole over $500,000 from over 30 victims.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Mario Gonzalez, a broker at MCR Escrow, located at 1800 Studebaker Road #700 on Thursday.
The office was apparently just a rented space, Gonzalez worked “by appointment only.”
Researching further, Hews Media Group found another MCR Realty address at 8351 Denni St in Cypress, California, which is a single family residence.
Gonzalez, 45, is suspected of participating in the scam that involved homes that were fraudulently listed as short-sale properties, investigators in the fraud bureau said.
The alleged scheme required buyers to pay escrow fees to secure a property after they submitted a bid, but the sales were never finalized nor were the fees returned to the victims.
There was several recent complaints about Gonzalez on ripoffreport.com highlighting the alleged scheme.
On person wrote, “’IM ALSO A VICTIM of Mario Gonzalez/ MCR Realty.
I was on escrow for 11 months on a short sale property in Fontana. I gave $10,000 deposit and just a month ago I found out on the internet about all Mario Gonzalez FRAUDS. I went to talk to the seller of the property I was on escrow and the owner of the house told me that his property wasn’t for sale and it never was. I tried to contact Mario Gonzalez or Peter Martinez the escrow officer but now they don’t answer the phone and don’t return my emails. The last time that I spoke to Alyssa Logan she told me she would email me the cancellation but she never did. I went to his office and I was told that they just rent a space on the suite. They work by appointment only.I already filed a complaint with the DRE Department and a report with Cerritos Police Department. I don’t understand how these people are free, they should not be doing business and should be arrested for defrauding clients.I know I’m not the only victim, there are more out there. Hey guys please contact me to talk and see what can we do together.”
Investigators are asking the public’s help identifying other victims. Anyone with information about the crime is can contact Detective Keith Clark at 562-946-7217.
Gonzalez is currently being held in lieu of a $70,000 bail at the Norwalk Sheriff Station
My neighbor is a victim of the scammer Mario Gonzalez through MCR Realty. This victim is a 65 year old man with major health problems and so therefore i have also filed an elder abuse report with social services. The house was foreclosed in October 2016 at a short sales and supposedly auctioned off through out a five year period. He was taking the mortgage money and pocketing it and did not pay the bank. The check was made out to his wife Maria Gonzalez (might want to check her out too). And an Adolfo Gonzalez (which might be one in the same or related) managed to get on title with the two married couple he scammed and took out thousands of dollars. This man lived in his house since 1972 and has been my neighbor since 1980 when I moved in. How many families has he broke up and left homeless because of his crime?
His wife is Maria Ramirez of MGR Realty? MGR standing for Maria Gonzalez Ramirez.
Hi, Did you neighbor recovered his money? I am also a victim and I am looking for some advice about what else to do.
Only a few people were able to recover their funds, by filing a claim through E & O insurance but policy is no longer active. Now a judgement has to be acquired in order to get paid through FRAUD funds with BRE. Scammed was orchestrated through Mario Gonzalez, Maria Ramirez Gonzalez, Ana Ramirez, Celestino Mercado, Blanca Gonzalez Schoneke, Peter Martinez and many others. Victims are over 480 and still counting. Funds taken from victims are in the millions.
I was able to receive my money back. If you threaten the young guy, alejandro, and show him that you filed a police report, he will get scared and give you money back. He says that he’s just a worker and not involved, but he is involved. Press charges against him and he gave me a check right away.
I was able to receive my money back. If you threaten the young guy, alejandro, and show him that you filed a police report, he will get scared and give you money back. He says that he’s just a worker and not involved, but he is involved. Press charges against him and he gave me a check right away.
Hi i am the victim from alejandro. He the man got my check. Do you have alejandro’s information? I want to get my money back too. Thank you for your time and help.
That is so sad! This MCR group should be in jail for 20yrs. Raise his bail to something un-payable. Crooks to take advantage of people for personal $$. I meet him once he is arrogant disgusting and rude told my challenged husband to go F himself because my husband asked him a question. Hell is to good for him!
Boy oh boy.I dont even know where to start with you people.Mario Gonzalez is one of the most honest loyal caring unselfish charitable person i have ever known.i have known him for20 plus years.he has worked and struggled to get to where he is 100 percent hard work.this guy has a heart of gold and he would never ever ever do anything like this.ever!!!i lost my home and. I was having to stay in my car and he after learning bought me a 37 ft rv to live in.never asking for a dime.you people have the wrong guy.he is the best person i know and. He will be proven innocent. Samantha treise..
And by the way mr know it all mcr does not stand for maria gonzalez.getyou facts straight.it was mcr before he even knew her.stupid.
I am also a victim, I deposited $10,000 into his Escrow office for a “short sale home” at 16408 Harris Ave. Compton. for an offer that was “accepted”. that was October 29, 2015, so far today nothing happened. I lost my $10,000 and never heard from them. I sent tons of emails to Tatiana Martinez, The Gonzalez Team, Peter Martinez and many more people working at that Escrow. Tatiana Martinez was the only one that replied to my emails, with false promises.
On July 15, 2016 I made a report to the Bureau of Real Estate, confirmation #190252-277, I am still waiting ANY answer from them. VERY FRUSTRATED