HAZLETON -- State police are looking into Ignacio Beato's real estate records.
Some people who thought they bought homes from Beato in the Hazleton area are now finding out they might not actually own those properties.
The Greater Hazleton Real Estate Association says there are about 50 complaints against Beato, who is a licensed real estate agent.
State Representative Tarah Toohil says she has people from the Dominican community calling her office in downtown Hazleton to say that Beato duped them, too.
"It's really unfortunate that these people are trying to get the American dream and I don't know how you're going to recover that money," said Toohil.
The state police investigation has state lawmakers wondering how they can prevent this from happening and what regulations are needed to protect not only the home buyers, but also the real estate companies.
"We're going to be able to look at this case and see if there's an easier way to catch it. It seems like it just snowballed," said Toohil.
The real estate community in the Hazleton area is now trying to help those alleged victims, but they also have a word of warning to people who are buying their first home.
"When someone says to you, 'This is the price. However, if you give me cash it will be much lower,'" said Brian McCardle, a broker at Century 21.
Real estate experts like McCardle say when you go through a bank you have safeguards, such as title insurance or homeowner's insurance.
He also says some first-time home buyers don't even know what that is.
Now, many real estate agents in Hazleton are trying to help the alleged victims by finding them other rental properties or somewhere else to stay while the investigation into Beato continues.
"The sad part is some of the victims I've talked to so far were very qualified. They could have went to a bank, got a loan, and purchased a home," said McCardle.
Ignacio Beato has not been charged with a crime and state police are still investigating.
However, if you believe that you or someone you know was involved in real estate fraud, you can call state police.