Operators of Mortgage Loan Modification Business Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Fraud

SAN DIEGO, CA – February 15, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Three individuals charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud for their roles in operating a fraudulent mortgage loan modification business pled guilty today in federal court in San Diego, announced United States Attorney for the Southern District of California Laura E. Duffy. According to the plea agreements, Ziad Nabil Mohammed Al Saffar and Sara Beth Bushore Rosengrant admitted that they operated the fraudulent loan audit and modification business, located in San Diego, California, under the names “Compliance Audit Solutions, Inc.” (“CAS”) and CAS Group, Inc., (“CAS Group”). Daniel Al Saffar admitted that he worked as a sales representative in connection with the operation.

According to court documents, the defendants targeted homeowners who were unable to afford their mortgage payments and falsely advertised to them that CAS and CAS Group were affiliated with the federal government. The defendants admitted to using false and fraudulent statements and representations to induce customers to purchase an “audit” of their home mortgage loans, supposedly to identify “violations” in the loan documents that could then be used to force banks to renegotiate their loans. The audit fees ranged from $995 to $3,500.

According to court records, among the misrepresentations made to customers were claims that CAS and CAS Group were affiliated with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), that they were participating in a federal program called “Hope for Homeowners,” that the audit fees were tax deductible, and that CAS and CAS Group had an “attorney” on staff who could finalize negotiations with banks on behalf of homeowners. The indictment further alleged that, as part of the conspiracy, the defendants fraudulently induced certain homeowners to make payments to CAS or CAS Group by falsely promising that such “good faith” payments were necessary to reduce their loan balance and interest rate, and that those payments would be kept in an “escrow account” by CAS or CAS Group. The false representations also included telling homeowners that banks demanded a “settlement fee” in order to modify a first mortgage and eliminate a second mortgage; that a one-time payment to cover taxes and insurance on the property was needed; and that the homeowners should make their monthly mortgage payments to CAS or CAS Group, instead of to their lender, and that the funds would be held in an escrow account for the benefit of a new lender.

As part of their plea agreements, defendants agreed to pay restitution to the victims of their criminal conduct to be determined by the court. Each defendant also agreed to make a restitution payment in an amount of $30,000 prior to the sentencing hearing. Today’s guilty pleas are subject to final acceptance by United States District Court Judge Anthony J. Battaglia at or before sentencing. The sentencing hearing is scheduled on April 27, 2012 at 9:00 a.m., before Judge Battaglia.

This case is the product of an investigation by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Special Inspector General-Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and is being prosecuted in San Diego federal court by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph S. Green.

Local victims of mortgage fraud may report it at the Internet Crime Complaint Center, ic3.gov or call the FBI at (858) 565-1255. To read the latest FBI mortgage fraud report visit www.fbi.gov.

This case was brought in coordination with the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, which was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated, and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. The task force includes representatives from a broad range of federal agencies, regulatory authorities, inspectors general, and state and local law enforcement working together to launch a powerful array of criminal and civil enforcement resources. The task force is working to improve efforts across the federal executive branch, and with state and local partners, to investigate and prosecute significant financial crimes, ensure just and effective punishment for those who perpetrate financial crimes, combat discrimination in the lending and financial markets, and recover proceeds for victims of financial crimes.

The Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program co-chairs the task force’s Rescue Fraud Working Group. For more information on the task force, visit www.StopFraud.gov. Advice from federally approved housing counselors is free, as are mortgage modifications under Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). For more information, visit www.makinghomeaffordable.gov. SIGTARP investigates fraud, waste, and abuse in connection with TARP. To report suspected illicit activity involving TARP, dial the SIGTARP Hotline at 1-877-744-2009.

Contact:
Southern District of California
(619) 557-5610