Mortgage Fraud Blog is the premier website for news and information on mortgage fraud and real estate fraud throughout the United States.
imageRachel Dollar, the editor of Mortgage Fraud Blog, is an attorney and Certified Mortgage Banker who handles litigation for lending institutions and secondary market investors. She is an author and a nationally recognized speaker on the topic of mortgage fraud. Ms. Dollar is a shareholder with the law firm of Smith Dollar, PC, is licensed to practice law in California and maintains offices in Santa Rosa, California. Email Ms. Dollar

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Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Southern California Foreclosure Scheme Nets Additional Charges

A federal grand jury returned second superseding indictment adding seven new counts of money laundering against individuals who had already been charged in two previous indictments in connection with a foreclosure scheme, executed from approximately May 2003 through August 2005, that victimized more than 100 homeowners and allegedly caused losses of at least $12 million.

Previously, in November 2005, the grand jury originally charged Martha Rodriguez, 35, Downey, California and Edward Seung Ok, 40, Torrance, California with orchestrating a real estate fraud scheme that targeted commercial lenders and homeowners in southern California areas such as Artesia, Lakewood, Gardena, Wilmington, Carson, West Covina, La Puente, El Monte, Westminster, Downey, Van Nuys, and San Bernardino.

Then, in July 2006, the grand jury returned a First Superseding Indictment adding Cynthia Valenzuela, 23, Downey, California; Vladimir Stefanovic, 35, Lancaster, California; and Maria G. Juarez, 36, Reseda, California as defendants for their participation in the scheme. The superseding indictment added additional fraud counts and new identity theft charges.

According to the indictment, the defendants researched public filings and database lists of pending foreclosure sales to identify homeowners whose mortgage loans were in default. They made unsolicited contacts with such homeowners to pitch the scheme. The defendants explained that they could stop foreclosure on the delinquent mortgages by providing short-term loans to cover outstanding debts and then refinancing the mortgage loans with the co-signature guaranty by an “investor” with good credit standing.

Instead of obtaining refinancing, the defendants submitted loan applications in the names of “straw buyers” who were purportedly purchasing the property as a residence to occupy. In some cases, the straw buyers were paid for the use of their personal information on the loan applications. In others, the defendants used the information of individuals without their knowledge, making those individuals victims of identity theft. All of the loan applications contained false information about the straw buyers’ employment and income, which the financial institutions relied upon when funding the new loans.

Loan proceeds went to pay-off the loans in default with most of the remaining amounts being skimmed-off by the defendants. To disguise and conceal the amount of money that she was getting, Martha Rodriguez wrote at least seven checks to third party payees and then deposited those checks back into accounts under her own control or the control of a family member. Those checks form the basis of the new money laundering charges.

Rodriguez is charged in all counts of the indictment, including the seven new money laundering counts. Ok is charged with 16 counts of mail fraud and four counts of identity theft. Valenzuela is charged in all 19 fraud counts and all six identity theft counts. Juarez is charged with seven counts of mail fraud, and three counts of identity theft. Stefanovic is charged with eleven counts of mail fraud.

 mortgage fraud

   

Posted by Staff Reporter on 01/02/07 at 05:20 AM
Mortgage FraudCalifornia • Total comments: (13) (0) Trackbacks
  1. How about posting photographs of these individuals who get caugt?  It wouldn’t surprise me if they have many different alias names.

    Posted by  on  01/04  at  07:09 AM
  2. we have the same type of fraud scheme happening in a nearby Littlerock, Ca.93543 we have listed each and everyone of these people transacting with Fraud on the upswing. Rampant first payment notice of defaults, inflated home market values, then subsequently foreclosing.

    Posted by  on  01/17  at  11:54 AM
  3. The massive fraud on the upswing we stumbled upon happened as a consequence of helping a mortgage fraud victim in Littlerock, Ca. A 59 year old African American widow living on a fixed retirement/disability income. She has been blatantly insulted by one of the biggest collaboration of industry insiders. This event just shows how the Billions in losses has now escalated into an unstoppable force. All we can do is watch as these people take as they choose…

    Posted by  on  01/20  at  11:44 AM
  4. I would like to know the property addresses. Our company buys second mortgages in these area’s. Perhaps someone can tell me how to find the property information.

    Posted by  on  03/05  at  07:06 AM
  5. update on littlerock, ca mortgage fraud:
    avenue-s.us/flashfraudalert.html

    Posted by  on  09/24  at  07:29 PM
  6. I am aware of other victoms of this case

    Posted by  on  10/17  at  11:03 AM
  7. There are other victoms to this case

    Posted by  on  10/17  at  11:07 AM
  8. I AM A VICTIM OF THE USv.MARTHA RODRIGUES/EDWARD OK SCAM. SCHEDULED FOR SENTENCING DEC. 10 2008 CENTRAL DISTRICT LA CASE NUMBER CR 05 1157-GHS

    I HAVE TO BE OUT OF OUR HOME MON. 11-10-08 AS A RESULT OF WHAT TRANSPIRED. CAN YOU HELP ME SAVE MY HOME. MY SON AND I HAVE LIVED HERE FOR 16YR. HE WILL GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL NEXT YEAR I DESPERATELY WOULD LIKE TO SAVE OUR HOME

    BOUGHT IN 1992. STOLEN IN 2008

    JOHNNEA HOLLAND
    818 808 6123
    johnneaholland@hotmail.com

    Posted by  on  11/06  at  12:17 PM
  9. Attn: JOHNNEA HOLLAND
    Please go to our website: www.avenue-s.us and www.avenue-s.info. we are a mortgage auditing co called avenue s mortgage auditing, ca. lic 2838913. we review your loan documents for fraud and predatory lending. if we find any, we report it to the following agencies: FBI, IRS-CID, Dept of corp, dept of real estate, FTC, DOJ, Bank and their regulator. They in turn have 20 days to respond to you and 60 to resolve any issues. If there has been no resolution we then refer you to our Atty. (20 years in the banking field).
    There is only one way to intercept or eliminate your loss - seek accountability and report to All related Govt. and financial agencies.
    our number are: (661)860-4978 (661)860-4950.

    Posted by  on  11/06  at  05:57 PM
  10. daniel,
    if you are aware of similar victims please have them give us a call.(661)860-4978 or (860)480-4950
    we are a mortgage document auditing service. we look for fraud and predatory lending practices. for more info go to our websites: avenue-s.us and avenue-s.info
    robert

    Posted by  on  11/06  at  06:01 PM
  11. dear atty rachel dollar,
    your presence is a blessing to all the mortgage fraud and predatory lending victims. awareness creating exposure is the key to stop this economic cancer.
    our heartfelt gratitude,
    robert tapia

    Posted by  on  11/06  at  06:06 PM
  12. We need pictures of them because if they are out on bail we can make sure no ones else get caught in their scam again.... Vladimir Stefanovic and his brother stole my sister’s company in a scam.... Post their pictures.. they are not worthy of being hidden… Why is there not an up date on their court date of Dec. 10th?  It is already Dec. 22nd.... Who bailed out Vladimir Stefanovic?

    Posted by  on  12/22  at  12:10 PM
  13. Bought my house in 2007, $60,000 down, $500k 1st TD and $150k 2nd TD w/sunTrust Mtg.  Kept payments current, about 6 months ago the 1st TD statments stopped.  I called them & Sun Trust told me the ‘new’ bank wold contact me.  No contact for 4 months, then CHASE bank wanted ALL back payments and fees, etc.  I doubt the loan could survive the audit, no appraisal rec’d, stated income, ARM loan, inflated appraisal (FMV now $550k) THX..  Can you recc a good foreclosure attorney.  Trust company filed and NOD 55 days ago.  HELP...!!!

    Posted by  on  07/10  at  02:58 PM

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Some Sources require Registration.

 

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A Wyoming woman is facing felony charges accusing her of stealing her sister's identity to obtain a mortgage...then defaulting on that mortgage, leaving taxpayers on the hook.

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In San Francisco, Mr. Russoniello said he is trying to crack down on cases like mortgage fraud, though he doesn't have the budget to hire additional white-collar prosecutors.

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During the real estate boom two years ago, some units were going for a half million dollars. Now some are short selling for just 50 grand.

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A developer and nine other people, including a former salsa singer, have been charged in an alleged $14 million mortgage fraud in Puerto Rico...

Strodtman Jury Selected in Mortgage Fraud Trial
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Attorneys will deliver opening statements this morning in the trial of Mark Strodtman, who is accused of bilking homeowners in a mortgage scheme years ago.

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Most banks rejected Ms. DeForte because her debt level was too high and her credit score too low. But Lend America put Ms. DeForte into a $402,000 loan backed by the Federal Housing Administration...

Mortgage Fraud Probe Nets 105 Across State
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At least one local man is among 105 people arrested across the state following a nine-month investigation into organized mortgage fraud.

Mortgage Fraud Increases
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The number of frauds involving professional advisors, such as accountants and lawyers, has increased from two to four since March 2008.

Previous Articles

TRIAL COVERAGE

Trial coverage provided by Anne Mitchell, Crazy Fish Realty.

F. Jeffrey Miller Update - October 20, 2009

A hearing was held in Topeka, Kansas in front of Judge Julie Robinson. Miller is currently being held pending his sentencing which is set for December 22nd, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.. Steve Vanatta and Hallie Irvin, Miller's codefendants, will be sentenced at that time also.

Several motions were heard this week. One was a motion for Miller to be released pending his sentencing. Miller's attorney, Jeff Morris, argued that the court had dismmissed with predjudice the matter involving Miller's purchase of a commercial lawnmower, violating the court ordered monitoring agreement. He also argued that Miller was not a flight risk and should be released. This motion was denied

Another motion heard by Judge Robinson was that of an escrow account containing proceeds from the sale of Miller's forfeited assets. This account has a balance of $143,000. Attorney Morris argued that his firm was due $100,000 for work done in the Miller matter, to date. The government argued that his 'un-itemized fees' were 'exhorbitant'. The balance of the funds, Morris argued, should be released to the Miller family to help pay for mounting household expenses.

The government argued that the 'Asset Forfeiture Provision' applies down to 'the last penny' and that 'the rights of the victims to made whole are of paramount immportance' and that no routine household expenses like Visa bills, are allowed.

Attorney Morris argues that there is more than enough assets to satisfy the jury's judgement of $2.65 million dollars. The government argues that the estimated value of his assets are only $1.4 million.

The government also stated that Miller has been paid dividends from a company Miller has an ownership interest in; Boreflex. From July, 2008 to present, Miller has been paid $330,509.30 from Boreflex, unbeknownst to the court appointed monitor.

Present in the courtroom was Todd Earnshaw. Earnshaw was indicted along with Miller and others in what is commonly referred to as 'Miller I'. That trial is scheduled to begin on January 11, 2010 in Topeka, Kansas.



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Legal Disclaimer.
The information and notices contained on Mortgage Fraud Blog are intended to summarize recent developments in mortgage fraud cases and mortgage banking matters nationwide. The posts on this site are presented as general research and information and are expressly not intended, and should not be regarded, as legal advice. Much of the information on this site concerns allegations made in civil lawsuits and in criminal indictments. All persons are presumed innocent until convicted of a crime. Readers who have particular questions about mortgage banking, mortgage fraud matters or who believe they require legal counsel should seek the advice of an attorney. The creators, editors and sponsors of Mortgage Fraud Blog do not intend to create a confidential relationship or an attorney-client relationship by communication via or arising from this site.

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