U.S. MSB Daily News
USMSB.com — A small storefront in this Central Valley city is at the center of a growing money-transfer scandal after customers say cash they wired to family in Mexico vanished instead of arriving overseas.
According to a report by KMPH FOX26 in Fresno, Hanford police have opened an investigation into alleged fraud involving Cajitamex-branded money transfers after residents discovered their remittances were never processed.
‘We sent the money — but nobody got it’
Dozens of customers, many of them sending funds to relatives in Mexico, reportedly showed up at the business on Thursday only to learn their transfers hadn’t gone through at all. Instead of receipts and answers, they found police officers taking statements and a line of worried customers.
One of those customers, Rigoberto Tafolla, told FOX26 he realized something was wrong the moment he pulled into the parking lot and saw multiple patrol cars outside the shop.
Tafolla and his brother José say that together they’re out nearly $4,000 — money they believed was safely on its way to their families. Instead, they’ve been caught in a maze of conflicting explanations and dead phone numbers.
Excuses, ownership changes and canceled transfers
Customers describe a shifting story around why the money never arrived:
- One explanation: the cash was “stuck” in an ATM and would be released later.
- Another: a holiday in Mexico supposedly delayed the transaction.
- Yet another: a reported small robbery at the store had forced a temporary shutdown, preventing refunds.
While customers were being fed these explanations, the underlying transfers were allegedly canceled the same day they were initiated, according to what one victim says he was told by the transfer company’s mediation line.
Adding to the confusion, customers learned the store had recently changed ownership. The former owner — who some say personally gave them assurances about their money — is now reportedly unreachable and no longer picking up calls.
That change in control has left victims unsure who, if anyone, will ultimately be responsible for making them whole.
Police: active investigation, limited details
Victims say officers on scene indicated that 40 to 50 people may have been hit, with losses adding up to “thousands” of dollars in total.
One customer told FOX26 that police mentioned seeking a judge’s order to search the premises and obtain business records to figure out what happened to the money.
The Hanford Police Department confirmed to FOX26 that the case is an active investigation and said it cannot release additional details. The department urged anyone who believes they may be a victim to call 559-585-2540.
In the meantime, the storefront at the heart of the probe is reportedly still open and operating under new management — even as customers line up outside to file police reports.
MSB & remittance risk: why this case matters
For the money services business (MSB) world, the Hanford case is a flashing red warning sign about:
- Agent and storefront risk – When a local agent or store changes hands, gaps in oversight can expose customers to fraud or mishandling of funds if controls and reconciliations aren’t tight.
- Transparency of ownership – Customers often trust the individual behind the counter more than the brand on the wall. Sudden ownership changes without clear notification can undermine that trust and complicate liability.
- Consumer red flags – Multiple shifting stories (technical glitches, holidays, robberies) around delayed payouts are classic danger signs in remittance fraud cases.
Practical takeaways for consumers
While most remittance transactions are legitimate, this case highlights a few basic safeguards when sending money abroad:
- Verify the licensed MSB or agent via state regulators or the company’s official website.
- Keep every receipt and transaction number until the beneficiary confirms pickup or deposit.
- Use providers that offer real-time tracking of funds and clear cancellation/refund policies.
- Act fast if something feels off — contact the transfer company directly, then local police and state regulators if your money doesn’t show up.
As Hanford police continue their investigation, dozens of families are still in limbo, unsure if the cash they worked for will ever reach the loved ones they meant to help.
Source: Reporting and photos originally published by KMPH FOX26 (Sinclair Broadcast Group), Fresno, California, “Hanford police investigate alleged Cajitamex money transfer fraud, dozens affected,” November 21–22, 2025.
U.S. MSB Daily News
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