Bank Fraud Schemes Uncovered in Portland
A brazen bank fraud scheme has been brought to light in Portland, Oregon, with a local man pleading guilty to using a residential property he did not own as collateral for a loan worth over $316,000.
Alireza Zamanizadeh, 63, aka Ali Zamani, waived indictment and pleaded guilty to bank fraud, a crime punishable by up to 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and three years’ supervised release.
According to court documents, on or about February 17, 2017, Zamanizadeh filed a quitclaim deed in Deschutes County, transferring a residential property in Bend, Oregon to his business for one dollar without the property owner’s consent.
Zamanizadeh then used the property as collateral for obtaining a loan worth $316,092. He forged the property owner’s signature on a statement verifying the property transfer as required by the mortgage lender and title company processing the loan.
Based on Zamanizadeh’s false representations, the mortgage company approved the loan and transferred the funds to Zamanizadeh’s bank account. He was subsequently charged by criminal information with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft on June 14, 2021.
As part of the plea agreement, Zamanizadeh has agreed to pay $400,000 in restitution to his victim and has transferred a second residential property in Clark County, Washington back to the victim.
Bank fraud is a serious crime that can have devastating consequences for victims. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough due diligence and verification of property ownership.
Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement, while the case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation with assistance from FBI and is being prosecuted by Katherine A. Rykken, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Zamanizadeh will be sentenced on January 4, 2022, before U.S. District Court Judge Anna J. Brown.
Related Federal Cases
- Chae Sun Kim, ID Theft and Bank Fraud, Portland OR, 2016 · Idaho
- Paul Harold Doughty, Bank Fraud Scheme, OK 2016 · Washington
- Gerald Thomas Schram, Bank Robbery, Oregon 2023 · Washington
- Gregory Walsh, Real Estate Investment Fraud, Oregon 2023 · Washington
- Blake Brian Ferguson, Bank Fraud Scheme, OK 2024 · Oklahoma
Key Facts
- State: Oregon
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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