Ventura Couple Charged with Mortgage Fraud and Money Laundering
A Ventura couple has been charged with real estate crimes, including mortgage fraud and money laundering, in a scheme that deprived a homeowner of her property and concealed illicit proceeds through fraudulent transactions.
Real Estate FraudMortgage FraudMoney LaunderingVentura CountyOxnardReal EstateAug 28, 2025
According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Albino Manuel Mendoza and his wife, Maria Antonia Hernandez, were arrested following an investigation by the office’s Real Estate Fraud Unit. Prosecutors allege that the couple engaged in a years-long scheme that involved multiple sales of the same Oxnard residence, none of which provided the original homeowner with compensation.
The charges stem from incidents that began in January 2019, when Mendoza allegedly made false statements that persuaded a woman to relinquish ownership of her Oxnard home. Prosecutors contend that in July 2021, Mendoza and Hernandez obtained a mortgage loan through fraudulent means. Hernandez allegedly used the loan to purchase the same property from Mendoza, further entangling the ownership records.
Authorities say that the couple then laundered the proceeds from the fraudulent sale, using the funds to cover personal expenses. By July 2024, Hernandez is accused of selling the home once again, this time to an unrelated third party. Despite the two sales, prosecutors maintain that the rightful owner never received payment.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Dominic Kardum has been assigned to prosecute the case, which officials describe as emblematic of the growing complexity of real estate fraud schemes in California. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges during their first court appearance on August 27.
Mendoza and Hernandez remain in custody with bail set at $100,000 (Rs. 87,000) each. A bail review hearing has been scheduled for August 29. The case, prosecutors say, highlights the persistent risks facing homeowners and the challenges of detecting fraudulent transactions that exploit trust in real estate and mortgage systems.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has urged vigilance among homeowners, noting that schemes of this nature often target vulnerable individuals and may not come to light until years after the initial fraud.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the charges against the Ventura couple?
The Ventura couple, Albino Manuel Mendoza and Maria Antonia Hernandez, have been charged with real estate crimes including mortgage fraud and money laundering.
How did the couple allegedly commit the fraud?
The couple allegedly made false statements to persuade a woman to relinquish ownership of her Oxnard home, obtained a mortgage loan through fraudulent means, and sold the property multiple times without compensating the original owner.
What is the current status of the case?
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges. They remain in custody with bail set at $100,000 each, and a bail review hearing is scheduled for August 29.
Who is prosecuting the case?
Senior Deputy District Attorney Dominic Kardum has been assigned to prosecute the case.
What advice does the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office have for homeowners?
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has urged vigilance among homeowners, noting that schemes of this nature often target vulnerable individuals and may not come to light until years after the initial fraud.
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