--- title: Faked passports enable $10 million in residential equity loan fraud description: Seven Florida and New Jersey fraudsters were convicted in a scheme that drained close to $10 million of equity from luxury South Florida homes.  --- [![FF-PurpleBlack-2 1](https://blog.fraudfighter.com/hubfs/FF-PurpleBlack-2%201.png) ](https://www.fraudfighter.com) - Solutions - [Counterfeit Detection](https://www.fraudfighter.com/counterfeit-detection) - [Identity Authentication](https://www.fraudfighter.com/identity-authentication) - [FraudFighter ID](https://www.fraudfighter.com/id) - [UV Counterfeit Detection](https://www.fraudfighter.com/counterfeit-detection) - [Money Handling & Verification](https://www.fraudfighter.com/products/money-counters) - [Compliance & Risk Mitigation](https://www.fraudfighter.com/education/compliance-management) - Products - [Counterfeit Detection Devices](https://www.fraudfighter.com/products/uv-counterfeit-detectors) - [CT-600](https://www.fraudfighter.com/products/ct600) - [CT-250](https://www.fraudfighter.com/products/ct250) - [ULED-2000](https://www.fraudfighter.com/products/uled-2000) - [ULED-1500](https://www.fraudfighter.com/products/uled-1500) - [UV Pro Penlight](https://www.fraudfighter.com/products/penlight) - [DL Guidebook](https://www.fraudfighter.com/product/driver-license-guide) - [ID Verification](https://www.fraudfighter.com/id-products) - [Scanners](https://www.fraudfighter.com/fraudfighter-id-scanner-overview) - [Desktop](https://www.fraudfighter.com/id/desktop) - [Mobile](https://www.fraudfighter.com/id/mobile) - [WebID](https://www.fraudfighter.com/id/webid) - [Portal](https://www.fraudfighter.com/id/portal) - [Money Counters](https://www.fraudfighter.com/products/money-counters) - [FF-3000](https://www.fraudfighter.com/products/ff3000) - [CountEasy 2](https://www.fraudfighter.com/products/counteasy) - [CountEasy TS](https://www.fraudfighter.com/products/counteasy-ts) - [Industries](https://www.fraudfighter.com/industry) - [Automotive](https://www.fraudfighter.com/industry/automotive) - [Financial](https://www.fraudfighter.com/industry/financial) - [Government](https://www.fraudfighter.com/industry/government) - [Retail](https://www.fraudfighter.com/industry/retail) - [Gaming](https://www.fraudfighter.com/industry/hospitality/casinos) - [Bars & Clubs](https://www.fraudfighter.com/industry/hospitality/bars-nightclubs) - [Restaurants](https://www.fraudfighter.com/industry/hospitality/restaurants) - Resources - [Case Studies & Whitepapers](https://www.fraudfighter.com/education/case-studies) - [Compliance Guides](https://www.fraudfighter.com/resources/user-guides) - [Blog](https://blog.fraudfighter.com) - Company - [About](https://www.fraudfighter.com/about) - [Security Policy](https://www.fraudfighter.com/id/security-policy) - [FAQ](https://www.fraudfighter.com/id/faq) - Support - [Submit a Ticket](https://www.fraudfighter.com/support-ticket) - [Portal Login](https://app.fraudfighter.com) - [Knowledge Base](https://support.fraudfighter.com) - [FraudFighter ID Installation](https://www.fraudfighter.com/id/support/installation) - [Software Downloads](https://www.fraudfighter.com/resources/support/software-update-downloads) [![Shop](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/76574/c274e2d2-3016-4d51-92fb-412e5fae5e5b.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/76574/c274e2d2-3016-4d51-92fb-412e5fae5e5b) [![Contact Us](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/76574/b7e7dfcf-98d3-4e1a-86d5-794b27b325e6.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/76574/b7e7dfcf-98d3-4e1a-86d5-794b27b325e6) [Identity Theft](https://blog.fraudfighter.com/fraud-blotter/topic/identity-theft) # Faked passports enable $10 million in residential equity loan fraud ### [Eric Haruki](https://blog.fraudfighter.com/fraud-blotter/author/eric-haruki) November 4, 2021 - [** ](https://twitter.com/share?source=https://blog.fraudfighter.com/fraud-blotter/faked-passports-enable-10-million-in-residential-equity-loan-fraud&text=Faked%20passports%20enable%20$10%20million%20in residential%20equity%20loan%20fraud%20-%20https://blog.fraudfighter.com/fraud-blotter/faked-passports-enable-10-million-in-residential-equity-loan-fraud) - [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.fraudfighter.com/fraud-blotter/faked-passports-enable-10-million-in-residential-equity-loan-fraud&title=Faked%20passports%20enable%20$10%20million%20in residential%20equity%20loan%20fraud&picture=&description=Seven%20Florida%20and%20New%20Jersey%20fraudsters%20were convicted%20in%20a%20scheme%20that drained close%20to%20$10%20million%20of%20equity%20from luxury South%20Florida%20homes. ) - [** ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.fraudfighter.com/fraud-blotter/faked-passports-enable-10-million-in-residential-equity-loan-fraud&title=Faked%20passports%20enable%20$10%20million%20in residential%20equity%20loan%20fraud&summary=Seven%20Florida%20and%20New%20Jersey%20fraudsters%20were convicted%20in%20a%20scheme%20that drained close%20to%20$10%20million%20of%20equity%20from luxury South%20Florida%20homes. ) [October 20, 2021](https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/seven-defendants-sentenced-10-million-mortgage-fraud-and-identity-theft-scheme)[ – Miami, FL](https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/seven-defendants-sentenced-10-million-mortgage-fraud-and-identity-theft-scheme) Seven Florida and New Jersey fraudsters were convicted in a scheme that drained close to $10 million of equity from luxury South Florida homes.  The criminals obtained personally identifiable information (PII) of the property owners and created fake passports to trick lenders into providing mortgage loans on unencumbered and unoccupied residential properties.  With fake passports in hand the audacious fraudsters would attend loan closings and then wire out funds to external accounts, ultimately purchasing cars, watches, and other high end goods with their ill-gotten gains.    - [**](https://twitter.com/share?source=https://blog.fraudfighter.com/fraud-blotter/faked-passports-enable-10-million-in-residential-equity-loan-fraud&text=Faked%20passports%20enable%20$10%20million%20in residential%20equity%20loan%20fraud%20-%20https://blog.fraudfighter.com/fraud-blotter/faked-passports-enable-10-million-in-residential-equity-loan-fraud) - [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.fraudfighter.com/fraud-blotter/faked-passports-enable-10-million-in-residential-equity-loan-fraud&title=Faked%20passports%20enable%20$10%20million%20in residential%20equity%20loan%20fraud&picture=&description=Seven%20Florida%20and%20New%20Jersey%20fraudsters%20were convicted%20in%20a%20scheme%20that drained close%20to%20$10%20million%20of%20equity%20from luxury South%20Florida%20homes. ) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.fraudfighter.com/fraud-blotter/faked-passports-enable-10-million-in-residential-equity-loan-fraud&title=Faked%20passports%20enable%20$10%20million%20in residential%20equity%20loan%20fraud&summary=Seven%20Florida%20and%20New%20Jersey%20fraudsters%20were convicted%20in%20a%20scheme%20that drained close%20to%20$10%20million%20of%20equity%20from luxury South%20Florida%20homes. ) ![shape](https://blog.fraudfighter.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/LandingPageTheme/images/shape-new02-new.png) ## Related Blogs [Identity Theft](https://blog.fraudfighter.com/fraud-blotter/topic/identity-theft) ![time](https://blog.fraudfighter.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/LandingPageTheme/images/time-icon.png) 1 minute read ## [AARP study links stress to fraud victimhood](https://blog.fraudfighter.com/fraud-blotter/aarp-study-links-stress-to-fraud-victimhood) October 27, 2021 - A recent AARP study of 9,000 American adults linked a person’s stress level to... [Identity Theft](https://blog.fraudfighter.com/fraud-blotter/topic/identity-theft) ![time](https://blog.fraudfighter.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/LandingPageTheme/images/time-icon.png) 1 minute read ## [The New Phishing: Fake Job Ads](https://blog.fraudfighter.com/fraud-blotter/the-new-phishing-fake-job-ads) October 26, 2021 – The FBI and the Federal Trade Commission have issued alerts warning that cyber... [Identity Theft](https://blog.fraudfighter.com/fraud-blotter/topic/identity-theft) ## [Crooked Staples manager conspired to open fraudulent credit accounts](https://blog.fraudfighter.com/fraud-blotter/crooked-staples-manager-conspired-to-open-fraudulent-credit-accounts) October 26, 2021 – Boston, MA A Boston Staples sales manager pleaded guilty to fraud conspiracy... ![FF-PurpleBlack-2](https://blog.fraudfighter.com/hubfs/FF-PurpleBlack-2.png) 1743 South Grand Ave. Glendora, CA 91740 US: (888) 664-9325 Intl: (626) 213-2702 ### Products - [Automatic Counterfeit Detection](https://www.fraudfighter.com/products/counterfeit-detectors) - [Counterfeit Detection Products](https://www.fraudfighter.com/products/counterfeit-detectors) - [Money Counters & Cash Handling Products](https://www.fraudfighter.com/products/money-counters) - [Identity Document Authentication](https://www.fraudfighter.com/products/identity-authentication) ### Resources - [Contact Us](https://www.fraudfighter.com/contact) - [Returns & Warranty Policy](https://www.fraudfighter.com/resources/support/returns-warranty-policy) - [Buy Replacement Bulbs](https://www.fraudfighter.com/products/replacement-bulbs) - [Solutions by Industry](https://www.fraudfighter.com/industry) ### About - [Why FraudFighter™](https://www.fraudfighter.com/why-fraudfighter) - [What We Do](https://www.fraudfighter.com/what-we-do) - Become a Partner - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.fraudfighter.com/terms-conditions) - [Privacy](https://www.fraudfighter.com/privacy) - [**](https://twitter.com/fraudfighterco) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/FraudFighterCo/) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/uveritech) © 2026 FraudFighter™ ![g-conv](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/1071859702/?value=0&guid=ON&script=0)