Task force nabs six accused of scam to acquire Palm Desert home
Six people accused of falsifying documents and committing other acts of fraud to acquire property in the Coachella Valley are scheduled to be arraigned in Riverside County Superior Court next month.
Susan Castellanos, 45, of Fountain Valley, Michael Angel Garcia, 33, of Riverside, Denys Osoria, 31, of Santa Ana, Cesar Ramirez, 37, of Corona, Maria Rosas, 49, of Indio and Oliver Salazar, 29, of Moreno Valley were arrested last month following a months-long investigation by the Riverside County Real Estate Fraud Task Force.
The defendants are slated to be arraigned on Jan. 11 at the Riverside Hall of Justice. Four are fee on bail amounts ranging from $160,000 to $219,000. The custody status of the other two could not be confirmed.
The District Attorney’s Office filed eight charges in the case, including forgery, grand theft and embezzlement.
The task force uncovered evidence that the defendants acted in concert to submit doctored escrow documents, false bank statements, erroneous W-2 forms and forged signatures — allegedly in order to illegally procure a Palm Desert home valued at $219,000, according to John Hall, a public information officer with the District Attorney’s Office.
Two of the defendants also allegedly perpetrated a similar scam to acquire another property in an unincorporated area of the county, resulting in a $250,000 loss to the mortgage company, according to Hall.
The Real Estate Fraud Task Force has expanded its reach thanks to the additions in April of Cathedral City, Corona and Murrieta police investigators, Hall said.
A supervising deputy district attorney investigator oversees the unit, which is complemented by four senior investigators, four technicians and one document examiner, according to Hall.
The task force investigates 12 to 20 complaints a month from the DA’s offices in Indio, Riverside and Murrieta and is supported by a trust fund fortified by grants.
Anyone who believes they’ve been victimized in a real estate fraud scheme is encouraged to contact the team at (877) 723-7779, or file a complaint online.
The District Attorney’s office also offers advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of real estate fraud:
Protect Yourself from Foreclosure Fraud
DO NOT sign a quitclaim deed or any other document that transfers the property to another person or trust without first consulting an independent attorney.
Never sign a contract or other documents under pressure. Seek help, from an attorney, social services agency, legal aid or someone you trust to review any foreclosure-related paperwork. Be especially wary of offers to take over ownership of your home as part of a deal that allows you to rent your home and then buy it back after a few years.
Never make verbal agreements. Never sign blank pages where information can be added later. Never sign anything you do not understand.
Avoid doing business with individuals or companies that call themselves mortgage consultants, foreclosure services or similar without thoroughly checking their credentials. Be sure to ask for references from licensing agencies, or check with the Better Business Bureau and trade groups.
Recommendations from family, friends, coworkers and others you trust are also a good resource. A legitimate mortgage consultant can help find the best loan and help with an unfavorable loan.
Be aware of promises like “We’ll save your credit,” “We’ll pay the closing costs,” “We’ll buy your house ‘as-is’,” or “If you sign the house over to us the foreclosure will be recorded against us,” among a host of other come-ons.
Be extremely cautious of those who contact or advertise to people whose homes are listed for foreclosure, including anyone who sends flyers or solicits door-to-door.
