Written by REFATSeptember 12, 2024 Equity skimming is a particularly insidious form of real estate fraud that targets property owners, often those who are already in a vulnerable financial position. This scam involves a fraudulent party taking over a property owner’s mortgage payments, typically with the promise of preventing foreclosure, only to
Written by REFATSeptember 6, 2024 As real estate professionals, we are entrusted with the financial well-being of our clients. This responsibility positions us uniquely to detect and prevent various forms of real estate fraud, including elder financial abuse, equity skimming schemes, abusive foreclosure rescue schemes, and fraudulent loan modifications. These schemes are
Written by REFATSeptember 3, 2024 VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Abdoul Aziz Bah (DOB 05/31/94), also known as (AKA) Richard Anderson of Stockbridge, Georgia, pled guilty on August 27, 2024, to one felony count of money laundering. He also tendered $5,000 in cash as partial restitution owed
Written by REFATAugust 9, 2024 Protecting Elders from Real Estate Fraud: A Guide to Safeguarding Your Assets As our population ages, elder financial abuse has become an increasingly common and troubling issue. One of the most significant threats to seniors’ financial security is real estate fraud. Predators often target older adults, exploiting
Written by REFATJuly 26, 2024 Protect Yourself from Real Estate Fraud: Verify Licenses by Jorge N. DeLeon, REFAT Chair
Written by REFATJuly 18, 2024 The Legal Hotline has received multiple calls from listing agents who, upon listing vacant land, have grown suspicious that the person who signed their listing may not be the rightful owner. This mirrors a national trend where title companies are reporting an increase in scams involving vacant
Written by REFATJune 21, 2024 VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today the arrest and extradition to Ventura County of Abdoul Aziz Bah (DOB 05/31/94), also known as (aka) Richard Anderson, of Stockbridge, Georgia. Bah has been charged with three felonies, including one count of receiving stolen property, and two
Written by REFATMay 3, 2024 VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Lane Yudell (DOB 05/10/67), of Simi Valley, has been charged with three counts of grand theft, seven counts of forgery, and three counts of money laundering. Yudell, a real estate agent, is also charged with several special
Written by REFATOctober 14, 2023 VENTURA, Calif. – The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Brian Andrew Hynes (DOB 06/12/80), of Thousand Oaks, was convicted by a jury of one count of felony grand theft after spending money meant for the Oak Heart County Music Festival. Hynes, the principal owner
Written by REFATOctober 11, 2023 VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Daniel Montano (DOB 02/15/94), of Camarillo, was sentenced to 180 days jail, placed on formal probation for two years, and ordered to pay $102,366 in victim restitution. Montano had previously pled guilty on August 2, 2023, to
