Fraud, Fraud, Everywhere Fraud
While late-night TV scams and robocall schemes are coming under increased scrutiny by state and federal officials, new real estate-related swindles continue to come to light.
Fraud, Scam Cases Increasing on Zelle, Senate Report Finds
Incidents of fraud and scams are occurring more and more often on the popular peer-to-peer payment service Zelle, according to a report issued Monday by the office of Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Cons and How to Spot Them
Confidence games come and go. But some seem to go on forever. And some real estate cons are worth remembering, if only because how successful they were.
US Failed to Stop Fraud in COVID Loan Program, Top Rep Says
The U.S. failed to take basic steps at the start of the coronavirus pandemic to prevent fraud in a federal aid program intended to help small businesses, the chairman of a House panel examining the payouts said Tuesday.
Remote Notarization Evolves Amid Push to Make It Permanent
Industry groups want Massachusetts to join most other states in making remote online notarization not only permanent, but more advanced than the practice that became common during the pandemic.
Report: Identity Theft Doubles for Older Consumers
Identity theft incidents that targeted older consumers in 2021 nearly doubled year-over-year, according to a new report from Aite-Novarica Group.
Hull Man Sentenced for PPP, EIDL Fraud
A Hull man was sentenced to two years in prison for submitting fraudulent documentation to receive pandemic-related U.S. Small Business Administration loans.
Former Nantucket Bank Teller Pleads Guilty to Fraud
A former Nantucket Bank employee has agreed to plead guilty for her role in two fraud conspiracies.
Lynn Postal Worker Stole from Eastern Bank Accounts
A Lynn postal worker pleaded guilty this week to stealing residents’ mail and making more than $16,000 in debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals from the accounts of three Eastern Bank customers on her route.
Guilty Plea in Scheme Targeting Real Estate Closings
A Rhode Island man pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to fraud schemes involving business email compromise, including one that targeted a Dorchester real estate attorney.
Boston Man Posed as Wealthy Greek Scion, Defrauded CRE Investors
A Boston man posed as a member of a wealthy Greek shipping family and defrauded investors out of more than $300,000, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said.
Your Texts and Emails Can Create Binding Contracts
A tough problem faced by a New Bedford beef jerkey manufacturer shows courts will enforce contracts formed by email, but only if certain conditions are met.
Lowell Residential Broker Sentenced in $580K Scheme
The former owner of a real estate company was sentenced earlier this week in connection with a scheme to steal more than $580,000 by targeting homeowners facing foreclosure.
Two Massachusetts Men Charged in Cryptocurrency Scheme
Two Massachusetts men were arrested on Thursday and charged with conducting an extensive scheme to take over victims’ social media accounts and attempting to steal more than $500,000 in cryptocurrency.
3 Indicted for Procurement Fraud at UMass
Two men have been indicted for allegedly taking illegal payments from outside contractors for services at UMass Amherst, and one man for allegedly making said payments.
Mortgage Company President Sentenced for Defrauding Ginnie Mae
The president and founder of a Falmouth mortgage company was sentenced earlier this week in federal court in Boston in connection with defrauding Ginnie Mae out of approximately $2.5 million.
Former Investment Advisor Sentenced for Fraud and Perjury
A former investment advisor was sentenced earlier this week in federal court in Boston for deceiving his former clients concerning the management of their retirement savings as well as lying to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Everett Man Sentenced for Defrauding Department of Unemployment Assistance
An Everett man was sentenced last week in federal court in Boston in connection with a scheme to defraud the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance of more than $1.7 million.
Former Boston City Council Candidate Admits to Real Estate Fraud
A former candidate for Boston City Council admited he posed as a real estate broker and swindled thousands from potential homebuyers.
Boston-Area Investment Adviser Sentenced for Fraud
A Boston-area investment adviser was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for using his clients’ funds to make his own investments and to pay personal expenses.
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