Oakland County Prosecutor Charges Pontiac Woman with 10 Felonies in Real Estate Fraud Case

Monday, October 13, 2025

PONTIAC, Mich. - Oakland County Prosecutor KAREN D. McDONALD charged Amanda Escalante-Lopez, a 28-year-old resident of Pontiac with 10 felonies related to an alleged real estate fraud. The charges are:

• 3 counts: False Pretenses $20,000-$50,000
• 3 counts: False Pretenses $1,000-$20,000
• 1 count: Larceny by Conversion $20,000 Or More
• 3 counts: Larceny by Conversion $1,000-$20,000

Since early 2024 the defendant allegedly made several verbal agreements with for land contracts and title to homes in the Pontiac area that she did not own. The victims were to give the defendant money, and she was to convey the property to the victims. The victims did not receive keys, access, or titles to the homes after putting down payments on the homes as agreed upon.

"For many, home ownership is the ultimate financial goal after years of hard work," said Prosecutor McDonald. "These allegations are about more than the theft of money. It is about robbing victims of the security and dignity that comes from purchasing a home of their own."

False Pretenses $20,000-$50,000 is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine. False Pretenses $1,000-$20,000 is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. Larceny by Conversion $20,000 Or More is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of $15,000 or three times the value of the property stolen. Larceny by Conversion $1,000-$20,000 000 is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of $10,000 or three times the value of the property stolen.

Charges are accusations and individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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