A Midvale contractor is accused of turning a relationship into a six-figure swindle, with investigators saying he convinced a woman he was dating to hand over more than $100,000, then failed to deliver on the promises behind the money.
Investigators also say the same man is at the center of a separate case in Salt Lake County, where he allegedly took tens of thousands of dollars for a South Jordan remodel and then walked away with the job largely unfinished.
Luis Borunda, 48, was booked into the Utah County Jail on Wednesday as investigators probe potential communications fraud and theft by deception, according to KSL.
In a separate December case, prosecutors charged Borunda in 3rd District Court with communications fraud and theft by deception, both second-degree felonies, along with acting as a contractor without a license, a class A misdemeanor. Court documents in that earlier matter say he was paid about $31,000 for a South Jordan remodeling project and completed only about 20% of the work before cutting off communication.
State Licensing Records Flag Earlier Trouble
State licensing files suggest this was not Borunda’s first run-in over unlicensed work. Utah’s Division of Professional Licensing disciplinary newsletter lists a citation tied to his name dated Aug. 27, 2025, for unlicensed practice and a collections action, according to the Utah Division of Professional Licensing.
Officials often point to repeated unlicensed-practice citations as early warning signs that can precede larger fraud investigations, especially when significant deposits or up-front payments are involved.
Investigators Trace Months-Long Money Trail
According to booking documents, the alleged dating scam played out over several months as the woman incrementally turned over large sums of money.
Investigators say the woman first loaned Borunda about $21,000. About a month later, she allegedly provided another $30,000. The largest chunk came when Borunda reportedly claimed he had an opportunity to invest in a flip home, prompting her to turn over an additional $75,000. Investigators say she ultimately took out a home-equity loan to cover the cascade of payments.
Detectives reviewed the woman’s bank records and contacted another alleged victim. After going through the financial trail, investigators concluded she had been defrauded, according to KSL.
What the Charges Could Mean
Under Utah law, communications fraud and theft by deception are graded according to the total value of the scheme. The crimes become second-degree felonies when the loss meets or exceeds $5,000, per Justia.
Acting as a contractor without the required license can bring both administrative sanctions and criminal citations under Utah’s Construction Trades Licensing Act; see Utah Legislature for details on potential penalties.
How Homeowners Can Avoid Similar Scams
State consumer resources urge homeowners to slow down before sending large sums of money to anyone promising construction work or investment returns, especially when romance is part of the pitch.
Officials recommend verifying contractor credentials through Utah’s online license lookup and reviewing state guidance on romance and home-improvement scams. Homeowners can check licensure status with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing and browse tips and complaint contacts at scams.utah.gov.
The investigation into Borunda’s activities remains open. Prosecutors and investigators have not yet released further details on upcoming court dates or the status of additional formal charges. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact law enforcement in Utah County.
