Authorities arrested 10 people in Miami-Dade and Broward counties in Florida for operating a mortgage fraud and identity theft ring that brought in about $8 million.
The mortgage fraud involved about 25 properties, and has been in operation since 2006. The investigation is ongoing.
The arrests bring the total of those indicted in the case to 20. Arrestees face charges that include racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, grand theft and title insurance fraud.
Arrested were Michelle Minikus of Hollywood, Donald Lee and Lise Bessette of Deerfield Beach, Stephanie Jean of Hialeah, Judith Clemow and Magaly Rosa of Miami, Brandi Brown and Wesley Grant of Miramar, Wonder Ragin Knowles of Coconut Creek and Ofelia Torres of Hialeah Gardens.
Although the names of the victims in this case will not be released, it’s a safe bet there are lots of them, and they now face the difficult task of restoring their credit. If any of them are LifeLock customers, they can breathe a lot easier, knowing LifeLock representatives are there 24/7 to assist them by answering questions, providing support and taking care of all the little details.
With LifeLock’s Identity Alert™ System, customers are alerted immediately via e-mail, postal mail or by telephone if their personal information is being used to apply for credit or services. And as a LifeLock customer, they can rest assured knowing that thanks to LifeLock’s $1 Million Total Service Guarantee, if they ever fall victim to identity theft, LifeLock will spend up to $1 million set things right.
Very often in large cases of identity theft such as this one, thieves not only use the stolen information they’ve obtained, they also sell it. Personal information can fetch a high price on the black market. But if you’re a LifeLock customer, you can rest assured in eRecon™, a service that searches the Web for the illegal selling and trading of your personal information.
If any such activity is detected, you’ll get help from LifeLock to resolve the problem.
Tags: fraud ring, Identity Theft, identity theft risk, LifeLock
