A California man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly running a real estate scam that targeted property owners in Southern Arizona. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says the man posed as a property owner or agent and listed homes online without permission, collecting deposit payments from interested buyers or renters before disappearing with the money. Authorities allege that he defrauded victims out of tens of thousands of dollars through fake listings on real estate platforms.
Prosecutors say the scheme involved forged documents and fraudulent communications to convince victims the listings were legitimate. Multiple counts of wire fraud, identity theft, and aggravated identity theft have been filed against the defendant. The FBI and local law enforcement continue to investigate, and officials are urging potential property renters and buyers to verify listings through trusted sources.
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