# Dallas real estate scammer gets 15 years for 'We Buy Ugly Houses' fraud

> A former company president used the popular real estate brand to steal nearly $40 million from over 80 investors.
- Title: Dallas real estate scammer gets 15 years for 'We Buy Ugly…
- Summary: A former company president used the popular real estate brand to steal nearly $40 million from over 80 investors. Charles Carrier, a Dallas real estate…
- Keywords: charles carrier, we buy ugly houses, homevestors, dallas, real estate fraud, investment scam, wire fraud, federal prison, restitution, news, local, real
- Source: FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth — https://fox4news.com/news/we-buy-ugly-houses-real-estate-firm-sentenced-federal-prison
- Author: Carter Freemon
- Published: 2026-09-23T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: charles carrier, we buy ugly houses, homevestors, dallas, real estate fraud, investment scam, wire fraud, federal prison, restitution, news, local
## Dallas exec sentenced to 15 years
Charles Carrier, 67, the former president of a Dallas real estate firm, was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison on September 23 for orchestrating a multimillion-dollar investment fraud scheme.
## Used 'We Buy Ugly Houses' to scam investors
Carrier exploited HomeVestors' well-known 'We Buy Ugly Houses' brand to defraud more than 80 victims out of nearly $40 million between 2018 and 2024.
## False promises about property investments
Carrier told investors their money would buy and renovate homes, claiming their loans were secured by liens. He never recorded the promised deeds of trust and issued multiple liens on the same properties.
## Sold properties without telling investors
Carrier sold properties without informing investors and forged lien releases to hide the transactions. He diverted investor money for personal expenses and payments to earlier investors.
## Pleaded guilty, ordered to pay restitution
Carrier pleaded guilty to wire fraud in October 2025 and was ordered to pay nearly $25 million in restitution to his victims.

> Financial fraud isn't just numbers on a ledger, it's a direct assault on hardworking Americans who trusted an alleged expert with their savings.
## Warning to investors about scams
Federal authorities urge the public to research investment opportunities carefully and report suspicious activity immediately. The case targeted Main Street families, retirees, and small business owners.
## Key takeaway

Charles Carrier, a Dallas real estate executive, was sentenced to 188 months in prison for defrauding 80+ investors of nearly $40 million using the 'We Buy Ugly Houses' brand between 2018 and 2024.