MESA, AZ — A Mesa woman has been charged with fraud after a Quinceanera nightmare.
On July 4, Mesa police arrested 43-year-old Alba Carol Parada after a fraud investigation revealed that she misrepresented herself as an agent of Fiesta Reception Hall, near Mesa Drive and Southern Avenue.
Police say that in September of 2018, the victim made a verbal agreement with Parada to rent the reception hall for $7,500. After paying a $500 deposit, the victim continued to make payments. In February the victim agreed to a rental price increase to $12,000 after her guest list grew from 100 to 300 people. Police say the victim had documentation showing that the agreed-upon price was paid in full.
A couple of days before the Quinceanera, the victim contacted the owner of the reception hall who told her that "Parada did not work for him and she does not represent him and/or the Fiesta Reception Hall in any way," according to court records.
The victim came up with another $10,000 in three days and paid the owner directly for the reception hall.
After Parada refused to return the money, the victim called the police. After police intervened, Parada returned some of the money but still owes over $7,500.
She has been charged with fraud, theft, and forgery.
