TAUNTON, MA — Victor Tiu Lopez, a 35-year-old man from New Bedford, has been found guilty of stealing more than $20,000 from 13 victims in a fraudulent rental scheme. The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced the verdict following a seven-day bench trial in Bristol County Taunton Superior Court.
Lopez was convicted of one count of witness intimidation, eight counts of larceny over $1,200 by false pretenses, and four counts of larceny under $1,200 by false pretenses. Judge Claudine Cloutier sentenced Lopez to two consecutive two-year terms in the House of Correction, followed by a year of probation.
The charges stem from Lopez’s actions between February and April 2022, when he falsely portrayed himself as the owner, or soon-to-be owner, of affordable rental apartments in New Bedford. Lopez deceived prospective renters by collecting security deposits totaling $20,400 from at least 13 individuals, many of whom were Spanish-speaking members of New Bedford’s Guatemalan Mayan immigrant community. These renters, who were already in a housing crisis, were particularly vulnerable to exploitation.
Lopez targeted victims through social media and local community chat groups, advertising the apartments and promising affordable housing. After collecting the rental deposits, he repeatedly delayed the move-in dates, claiming the apartments were still under renovation or had been rented to someone else. In some cases, Lopez demanded additional payments, only to vanish without returning the tenants’ calls or giving them access to the apartments.
In addition to his fraudulent rental activities, Lopez was convicted of threatening to kill a community organizer from Centro Comunitario De Trabajadores, a nonprofit that supports immigrant workers. The organizer had been helping the victims report Lopez’s fraudulent actions. The AGO alleges that Lopez’s threats were intended to prevent the organizer from assisting the victims and reporting the scam to authorities.
Lopez was initially indicted by a Bristol County Grand Jury in September 2022. During the trial, it was revealed that he collected a total of $22,050 in deposits from 15 victims. The scam caused significant financial hardship for many individuals, some of whom were left without homes or their hard-earned savings.
The AGO continues to urge residents to exercise caution when dealing with rental transactions and to report any suspicious activity.
Lopez’s sentencing is a significant step in holding those who exploit vulnerable communities accountable for their crimes. However, victims of scams like these are encouraged to seek support from organizations like Centro Comunitario De Trabajadores, which works to assist those who have been targeted by fraud.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency, accountability, and protection for renters in Massachusetts.
