Family Says Evanston Real Estate Agent Disappeared After Taking Thousands Of Dollars

(CBS) -- Dozens of local buyers claim they're part of a real estate scam where they give earnest money to an agent and he allegedly disappears, reports CBS 2's Audrina Bigos in this Original Report.

The five members of the Perez family live in a two-bedroom apartment.

"There's not much room here for anything really," said Maricarmen Perez.

But after two years of saving and searching for a bigger place, the Perez family found their dream home.

"I had to take a part time job so we could make that dream happen," she said.

Maricarmen and her husband got approved for a house and then handed over $5,500 in earnest money to broker Paul King to secure the deal. Six months passed and they didn't hear from King.

"We just kept on pushing and pushing to get our money back," she said. "He just finally gave us the check."

A letter from the bank said there were insufficient funds and the check bounced.

Apparently, the Perez's are not the only family out of money.

On King's Yelp page, dozens of clients write, "Paul King could not come up with our money" and "This guy is a crook and should be put in jail."

CBS 2 went to Evanston to find Paul King at the address listed on his website. Instead, there was notice on the call box, "Carby King Realty does not have offices in this building."

King still has more than 150 properties listed on his website. But the Perez family says to beware as their dream of a new house is still on hold.

"It took our dream really…because we're out so much money," Maricarmen said.

So far, 16 people have filed reports with Evanston Police, claiming they have been scammed out of thousands of dollars in earnest money from King.

He's nowhere to be found and didn't return our phone calls or emails.

A state database shows Paul King's license is still active and he's never been disciplined.