Five Named In 327-Count Indictment In Alleged NYC Mortgage Fraud Scam Using Stolen IDs; Deceased Woman’s Home Allegedly Sold Out From Under Her Estate

From the Office of the Queens County District Attorney:

• Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown [] announced that five individuals [...] have been charged in a 327-count indictment in connection with an approximately $2 million mortgage fraud scheme in which stolen identities were allegedly used to buy and sell three properties in Queens.(1)

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• District Attorney Brown said that the investigation began after one of the owners of a property located at 120-18 132nd Street in South Ozone Park began receiving mail indicating that the mortgage had been paid off and the home was now in the name of another individual – who also had come to the District Attorney’s office complaining that he, too, had been the victim of identity theft.

• An investigation revealed that the property was allegedly sold during a closing on July 13, 2006, that began in an attorney’s office in Westbury but concluded that evening in a restaurant parking lot in Deer Park, Long Island. It is alleged that three unidentified individuals showed up at the closing with fake identification and pretended to be the two actual homeowners (one of whom had died three months earlier) and the buyer. The house was sold for $500,000, of which $340,948 was due the two homeowners – less their existing mortgage. However, it is alleged that $250,0000 of that amount went to [Martina] Duran – who organized and was present at the closing – and her co-conspirators.

For the details of the other two fraudulent home sales, see Five Charged In $2 Million Fraud Operation That Used Stolen Identities To Illegally Obtain Mortgages (Deceased Woman’s Home Allegedly Sold Out From Under Her Estate).

(1) According to the press release, nightclub owners Roger Arias and his mother, Martina Duran, allegedly orchestrated the three transactions and pocketed the majority of the fraudulent proceeds from the closings, which the other three defendants helped facilitate. According to the DA's office, the others are: Aldo Bussi, 41, of Levittown, Long Island, Ramon Gaston, 29, from parts unknown, Percy Randall, 54, of Westbury, Long Island. Four of the defendants are in custody and the fifth is presently being sought.