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Homeowners Targeted In Real Estate Scam
The Associated Press
The district attorney's office in San Diego says homeowners who were facing foreclosure were told they could buy "land patents" that would make their homes sovereign nations.
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Published: January 11, 2009
SAN DIEGO - Authorities say a ring of criminals bilked distressed San Diego homeowners by persuading them they could declare their properties to be independent nations.
The district attorney's office in San Diego says homeowners who were facing foreclosure were told they could buy "land patents" that would make their homes sovereign nations.
The idea was that bank officials then would be barred from coming onto their property.
One suspect (55-year-old Jessica Refuerzo) was arrested Friday. Two other suspects remain at large and two others were arrested earlier.
At least 17 victims lost tens of thousands of dollars in the scheme.
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