Three Amarillo residents are facing serious federal charges after being accused of participating in a large-scale, multi-state fraud scheme that allegedly targeted elderly timeshare owners across the United States.
Ashley Molina, Ricardo Plascencia, and Samuel Lopez were named among 23 total defendants indicted Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. The indictment, unsealed this week, details an alleged six-year conspiracy to defraud current and former timeshare owners out of more than $30 million by posing as attorneys and government officials offering fake legal settlements.
At the time of the indictment, eight of the 23 defendant names were redacted, and several related court documents remained sealed.
Alleged Scheme Targeted Elderly Victims Nationwide
According to federal prosecutors, from April 2019 through October 2025, Molina, Plascencia, Lopez, and others operated a coordinated telemarketing and email campaign aimed primarily at people over the age of 55 who owned or had previously owned timeshares.
Court documents allege that the defendants contacted victims by phone, email, and other communication channels, pretending to be attorneys, paralegals, or officials involved in processing legal settlements related to timeshare disputes. Victims were reportedly told they were entitled to receive compensation but were required to pay an “initial processing fee” or other charges before funds could be released.
Once victims made those initial payments, prosecutors said, the defendants allegedly solicited additional funds by creating a series of fictional businesses and shell companies to collect and conceal the money.
Shell Companies Linked to Amarillo Defendants
In Amarillo, the indictment identifies several entities allegedly used to carry out the fraud:
Ashley Molina reportedly conducted business under the name International Secure Investments.
Ricardo Plascencia is accused of managing Global Fortune Investments LLC.
Samuel Lopez allegedly managed Express Capital Financial LLC.
The indictment claims these entities were part of a web of fake businesses across multiple states, including Texas and California, that funneled money from victims to conceal the origins of the funds.
Connection to Criminal Organizations Alleged
Federal prosecutors further allege that proceeds from the fraud were not only used for personal enrichment but also benefited the Nuestra Familia and Norteño criminal organizations. The indictment accuses the defendants of laundering money through real estate purchases, investments, and other ventures intended to disguise the illicit proceeds.
Charges and Potential Penalties
The defendants face multiple felony counts, including:
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud with telemarketing and email fraud enhancement
Conspiracy to commit money laundering
Wire fraud with telemarketing and email fraud enhancement
Money laundering
Because the alleged scheme specifically targeted elderly victims, federal law allows for enhanced penalties. If convicted, Molina, Plascencia, Lopez, and their co-defendants could face up to 10 additional years in prison on top of any standard sentencing.
Scope of the Case
Prosecutors estimate that “ten or more” victims over the age of 55 were directly impacted, though the total financial losses allegedly exceed $30 million. Investigators believe the fraud spanned multiple states, with operations and shell companies scattered across the country.
What Happens Next
As of Wednesday, the Amarillo defendants had not yet entered pleas. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California is overseeing the prosecution, and several defendants are expected to make their initial court appearances in the coming weeks.
If convicted, in addition to prison sentences, the defendants could be subject to criminal forfeiture of any assets or property obtained through the alleged fraud.
