Related Federal Cases
- David Quatrella Admits Role in $272K STOLI Scam · Connecticut
- California Man Sentenced for $1.3M Bank Scam · Connecticut
- Florida Woman Charged in Jamaican Lottery Scam · Connecticut
- $39M Penny-Stock Scam Lands 8 Behind Bars · Washington
- NY AG James Challenges Trump Climate Rollback · Pennsylvania
Seven California Residents Charged in Mortgage Loan Modification Scheme
New Haven, Conn – A federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging seven California residents with conspiracy and fraud offenses stemming from an alleged scheme to defraud homeowners across the United States who were seeking mortgage loan modifications.
The indictment alleges that the seven defendants, who include Aria Maleki, 33, of Santa Ana, Calif; Mehdi Moarefian, a.k.a. “Michael Miller,” 36, of Irvine, Calif; Kowit Yuktanon, a.k.a. “Eric Cannon,” 31, of Huntington Beach, Calif; Cuong Huy King, a.k.a. “James Nolan” and “Jimmy,” 32, of Westminster, Calif; Daniel Shiau, a.k.a. “Scott Decker,” 30, of Irvine, Calif; Serj Geutssoyan, a.k.a. “Anthony Kirk,” 33, of Santa Ana, Calif; and Michelle LeFaoseau, a.k.a. “Michelle Bennett,” 41, of Huntington Beach, Calif, preyed on struggling homeowners in Connecticut and across the United States, falsely offering mortgage relief in exchange for thousands of dollars that the victims clearly could not afford to spend.
Law enforcement seized approximately $350,000 from various bank accounts, approximately $362,000 from a Bitcoin account, a $100,000 cashier’s check, and a 2013 Ferrari 458 Italia in association with today’s arrests. The defendants will make initial appearances at 2:00 p.m. (PST) in federal court in Santa Ana, California, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas F. McCormick. They are scheduled to be arraigned on February 17 before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
“As the indictment alleges, these seven defendants preyed on struggling homeowners in Connecticut and across the United States, falsely offering mortgage relief in exchange for thousands of dollars that the victims clearly could not afford to spend,” said Deirdre M. Daly, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, HUD’s Federal Housing Administration, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General, as well as Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, commend their law enforcement partners for a job well done in investigating this matter, shutting down this alleged scam and arresting these seven defendants.
“Some frauds are complex with multiple dimensions, but our agents coupled with all law enforcement multipliers will inevitably uncover the scheme,” said Terence Opiola, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Newark.
These arrests clearly demonstrate that those who target hardworking homeowners in today’s challenging economy will be held accountable, said Shelly A. Binkowski, Postal Inspector in Charge for the Boston Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
RELATED: Homeowner Hustle: Brea Man Gets 9+ Years for Fake Law Firm Scam
RELATED: Loan Modification Scammer Jason Vitulano Sentenced to 132 Months
Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News