Defendant Pleads Guilty in Mortgage Rescue Fraud Scam

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Orange County resident Rex Salonga (DOB 2/21/71) pled guilty to one felony count of grand theft, in violation of Penal Code section 487. The case was the result of an investigation conducted by the District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit.

The victim, who lives in Oxnard, sought a mortgage loan modification from Salonga’s business, Stone Crest Mortgage. Salonga falsely claimed he was a licensed real estate agent and promised to help the victim obtain a loan modification. Salonga solicited approximately $9,000 from the victim, claiming the money would be passed on to the victim’s mortgage lender. Salonga instead deposited the money into his own bank account. The victim received no actual assistance from Salonga.

Salonga will be sentenced on January 5, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. in Ventura Superior Court, courtroom 12. He faces up to 365 days in jail and 60 months of formal probation and will be ordered to pay restitution. Salonga was convicted earlier this year of felony grand theft in Orange County for similar conduct. Consumers can verify the status of any individual’s real estate license at http://www.calbre.ca.gov.

Download Press Release