A Hemet woman has been arrested after allegedly defrauding multiple victims out of nearly $200,000 in a fraudulent wholesale avocado investment scheme that spanned from 2023 to 2025.
On August 20, Consuelo Carrasco-Ramirez, a 53-year-old resident of Hemet, was arrested on suspicion of theft by false pretenses, grand theft, and passing counterfeit checks.
Carrasco-Ramirez lured at least seven victims into investing thousands of dollars into a wholesale avocado business, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. The seven victims collectively gave Carrasco-Ramirez approximately $195,000. Instead of investing the money as promised, she allegedly used the money for personal benefit.
According to authorities, Carrasco-Ramirez persuaded victims to invest money into a scam commonly referred to as a Ponzi scheme. She often targeted members of the Hispanic community and, in some cases, threatened to have the victims deported.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department believes there may be additional victims. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Master Investigator Lance Colmer at 951-776-1099 or the Perris Sheriff’s Station at 951-210-1000.
