Reported by Mark Jenkins
ORLANDO -- A big crackdown on mortgage fraud across Florida is bringing federal agents to Orlando Wednesday.
Over 100 arrests have already been made, with the targets in Florida stretching from Jacksonville to Fort Myers.
Investigators at the U.S. attorney general’s Orlando office are expected to send a warning to Central Floridians Wednesday.
The message is simple: If you lie on a real estate loan application, it’s mortage fraud, and if caught, you will be prosecuted.
“Mortgage fraud is very ramped,” said FBI special Agent Stephen Ibison. “It’s one of the leading factors to the financial crisis we’re facing here in the United States. Southwest Florida and Central Florida plays a big part in that.”
The 105 arrests came at the head of a nine-month crackdown, with fraudulent loans totalling more than $400 million, and involving more than 700 properties.
Defendants include mortgage brokers, realtors, lenders, sellers and buyers.
At least two of those arrests came out of Orlando. Those convicted could serve up to 30 years in prison.
Just one case of mortgage fraud can result in $92 million in losses, impacting everyone from the bank, to other people trying to get a loan on their first home.
Officials said in 2008 alone, mortgage fraud resulted in $15 billion to $25 billion in losses across the country.
Investigators said their work is not done. calling Florida Florida is “ground zero for mortgage fraud.”
Central Florida is no exception, accounting for more than 16 percent of the state’s foreclosures.
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