Identity theft and real estate fraud have reappeared in Baja California. At least ten victims have sought to recover their money after falling for online scams. Impostors have impersonated real estate agents, altered their credentials, and created fake social media profiles to solicit money from their victims, promising to set aside the purchase or rental of housing or commercial space in Baja California.
Gustavo Chacón Aubanel, former president of the State Council of Real Estate Professionals in Baja California (CEPIBC), is one of the victims of identity theft. A person on social media stole his family photos and professional credentials from the Baja California Ministry of Economy to create a fake profile under the name “Jesús Octavio Lozoya Aguilar,” offering low-cost real estate services, charging upfront and without collateral or proof.
“They have deceived and defrauded citizens in the cities of Ensenada and Mexicali, asking them for deposits into a Santander bank account via social media. They are using the image of Gustavo Chacón Aubanel, as well as official documents such as the real estate license issued by the Ministry of Economy, and also falsified the information,” explained the company Nuevo Hogar Inmobiliaria, which was affected by the new fraud scheme.
At least three victims made deposits of more than five thousand pesos to the fake profile in the name of “Jesús Octavio Lozoya Aguilar” without having physical contact with the supposed real estate agent or verifying the location of his office or the home they “reserved” with the bank deposit, which they confirmed via WhatsApp. Chacón Aubanel went to the Public Ministry to report the identity theft to protect himself from any legal action the fraud victims might take against him, as some sought him out to demand reimbursement of their investment.
So far in 2025, 38 reports of identity theft have been filed in Baja California, most of which are related to some type of fraud or scam. Two of the reports, related to real estate fraud, have also been filed by the Ministry of Economy headed by Kurt Honold Morales.
The demand for housing in Baja California by Mexican Americans or residents of Southern California has triggered a continued incidence of fraud on social media, where users trust profiles without personally verifying the physical condition of the property for rent or purchase, or the legitimacy of the real estate professionals.
In light of the potential risks of fraud in the real estate sector, real estate professionals make three basic recommendations: The first is not to deposit funds into any account to reserve homes, whether for sale or rent. The second is not to be intimidated or pressured by anyone offering you a rental opportunity, as they usually make calls to warn you that there are other people interested in the offers you agreed upon.
The third recommendation is to verify if the real estate agency or office has an established office and a valid and mandatory real estate license in the state of Baja California, and if they belong to any Association of Real Estate Professionals that is part of the State Council of Real Estate Professionals in Baja California.
Source: zetatijuana
