Salt Lake City, UT / February 10, 2008 / Press Release / --  We've all heard the story of the consumer that is approached by a professional con that foretells of vast fortunes of wealth for the right person willing to invest in real estate.  Riches beyond belief and as an added bonus there is no risk to the investor.    

In truth the fairy tale rarely if ever comes true and criminals and their enterprises emerge the victors while the "so-called" investor is left holding the bag for mortgage loans that could range from half a million to several million dollars depending upon the scheme.  Financial lending institutions are forced to pick up the tab while neighborhoods where such crimes occur bear witness to the real devastation that real estate fraud crimes can leave in their wake.    

But with more and more attention and coverage from print and television media outlets law enforcement have shifted gears and returned to white collar crime investigations involving incidents of alleged real estate fraud in hopes of deterring what has been viewed by some as "Easy Money."  The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation saw Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) as a result of fraud within real estate increase to 47,000 incidents in 2007 up from 7,000 cases in 2003.

"We see a lot of cases that certainly contain elements of fraud," said Sheri Fitzpatrick CEO of Perfect Home Living a non-profit based in Salt Lake City, Utah that exclusively works cases involving incidence of real estate fraud.  "We always inform victims to file reports with the U.S. Attorney's Office as well as encourage them to report their information to their local FBI field office - Without a victim we tell consumers law enforcement can not actively investigate."

One such example of the U.S. Attorney's Office actively seeking cases of fraud unravels in Madison, Alabama.  As the hurried season of taxes falls to a close enterprises involving real estate fraud in conjunction with tax schemes race to make victims out of consumers.  Proactively anticipating such crimes U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin, the United states Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama ensured the doors to the U.S. Attorney's Office remained opened as her office prepared federal grand jury indictments against Ladon Chrison Baffield who owned and operated LCB Financial Services and Titanium Mortgage. 

The indictment alleges that from April 2002 until about June 2002, Baffield conspired with Walter Sullivan, owner of Just That Fast Tax, to defraud the U.S. Government by obtaining and aiding to obtain the payment and allowance of false and fictitious and otherwise fraudulent claims.  In addition the indictment alleges that Baffield committed wire fraud when he transmitted false information through Titanium Mortgage to Finance America in an attempt to obtain a mortgage loan. 

"The quick money from Refund Anticipation Loans is appealing to dishonest tax preparers and some citizens. I wonder if defendants can even remember how they spent the money once they go to jail," said U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin. 

About Perfect Home Living 

Perfect Home Living is a nationally recognized leader that assists in implementing programs and providing training and education to financial lenders , government entities, consumers and licensed professionals to red flags within today's  real estate market.   For more information or to request assistance please visit us online at:  http://www.PerfectHomeLiving.com