Posted by Harry [NR] on 8/21/08 2:00am
Msg #260930
California Real Estate Fraud
I received an interesting call yesterday from an investigator for the San Bernardino District Attorney's office. Apparently, someone has been "selling" empty lots that they don't actually own. As it was explained to me, in the latest case, an escrow officer caught a grant deed that didn't look quite right. The deed was bearing what appeared to be a photostatic copy of a California notary seal that included the Notary Rotary stamp manufacturer code.
The investigator, who had as yet been unable to reach the notary in question, wanted to know whether we had manufactured the stamp. We hadn't; in fact, we'd never sold a single item to the notary whose name appeared on the deed. It seems that the criminal(s) used a facsimile of our stamp border, along with the notary's commission information (probably obtained from a legitimate document) and possibly a copy machine to create the fraudulent documents.
Lessons?
1) Yep, there really is real estate fraud in California.
2) As the law requires, keep your seal secure. Even the information contained on your seal can be used by criminals.
3) If someone approaches you with a great deal on an empty lot...
Harry
Notary Rotary
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Reply by MW/VA on 8/21/08 10:06am
Msg #260968
I'm sure there is fraud in every state. A few years ago Florida was notorious for bogus real estate deals. Crooks are professionals--often much slicker than we are. They know every possible form of deception. How about fake real estate licenses, etc. Sorry it hit so close to home, Harry.
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