Published January 13, 2015
A husband and wife — both in the real estate business — are under arrest on charges of ripping off elderly and sick homeowners.
Prosecutors in Los Angeles accuse the couple of illegally taking possession of about 100 homes, then renting them out. After a year-long investigation, the pair face 20 felony counts for allegedly defrauding victims to the tune of five million dollars.
Investigators say the scam was fairly simple. The couple would look for unoccupied homes with delinquent property taxes. They'd pay the debts, then file fake documents to take control of the land.
Among the victims is a 76-year-old man who was in a nursing home and had simply forgotten to pay his taxes. He finally got his house back, but says the couple had thrown out all of his belongings.
https://www.foxnews.com/story/couple-charged-with-taking-homes-from-the-sick-and-elderly