The Cancun Post editor received an email from a reader (who requested to remain anonymous), to denounce an American citizen who goes by the name of Richard Philip Houghton, who is an ex-convict and is now living in Quintana Roo scamming people who are interested in Real Estate investment in that area.
His first conviction is in California for an 18.5-million-dollar film-making scheme. Convicted Richard walked out of the courtroom paying only the money in his pocket.
Producers pay for scheme (variety.com)
Fleeing to Mexico Richard then started Investment Properties Mexico. First recorded on Mexico 4-million-dollar land fraud. This one landed his partner Sean Oneil in jail.
Investment Properties Mexico – $4 Million Scam & More (New Update 2023) – Gripeo
Avoiding justice Richard moved on to the Kasa Collection. 100% Ponzi scheme scamming hundreds of investors over the past 10 years. This fraud is still taking place today. Selling out millions & millions of dollars in pre-construction, investors were left with 20% of properties built. The minority 20% were left without titles, unfinished projects, stolen properties, incorrectly translated documents, and endless corruption to maintain the possession of people’s property.
The other 80% remain untouched, fictitious renderings, and emasculate websites, with no intention of constructing or purchasing land.
KASA Hotel Collection | Residences (kasahotels.com)
Lots of scam sites popped up, and social media took its toll on Richard, eventually losing his entire company Investments Properties Mexico. At one time, the fastest-growing real estate company in Playa Del Carmen. In the wake, you have unpaid employees, realtors, builders, contractors, and back taxes. everyone and anyone who was involved lost everything. Using crooked lawyers, and notaries & hiding behind shell companies, Richard has avoided the justice system. Hundreds of criminal & civil complaints sit on the prosecutor’s desk in Playa del Carmen, paid to be pushed aside. A desk Richard supported for the last 20 years; he now has no money to pay anymore.
Kasa Fraud (kasafraude.com)
Now divorced, running from the law, investors, and bad debt, Richard cannot show his face in public. So many people follow, taking pictures, and sharing information he cannot hide. Supervised visits with his son are regularly intervened by debt collectors, investors, police, and lawyers. Living information, pick up & drop off schedule with is son are public knowledge. Every court date Richard has hits the internet before he knows about it.
Copy & Paste information from local social media forms below.
Richard Philip Houghton +52 984 116 4593
Centro de Convivencia Familiar Supervisada del Poder Judicial.
Avenida Flor de Acanto entre avenida Constituyentes y boulevard Las Palmas, manzana 002, lote 001-1, en el fraccionamiento las palmas, municipio de solidaridad, cp 77723
Wednesdays 3:30 pick up-6 pm drop off. Every other weekend Friday 5:45 pick up and Sunday 5:30 drop off.
A building with a fence and palm trees
Description automatically generatedHome address. Lives with Derek Melvin. Centro de Convivencia Familiar Supervisada del Poder Judicial. Avenida Flor de Acanto entre avenida Constituyentes y boulevard Las Palmas, manzana 002, lote 001-1, en el fraccionamiento las palmas, municipio de solidaridad, cp 77723
Richard Philip Houghton drives a small white KIA. Richard attended Family Court on Feb 20, 2024.
Recent scams reported involving Richard are now of the petty type. Although he still sells land & preconstruction, his past is back to haunt him. Credit card fraud, vacation rental deposits, extorting senior citizens, squatting, fake termination notices…. anything & everything is the new norm. Changing vehicles, driving scooters, and collaborating with the underworld is Richard’s reality now. Debt collectors are told he will come into money in the spring, another delay tactic. Does he have a scheme on the go?
Remember, he is still out there, still doing the same thing, with 30 years of experience & nothing to lose. Let’s keep this blog updated with location, court dates, sightings, new frauds, and associations. The only thing Richard has been able to avoid is social media.
