Straw Mortgage Company Used In Alleged Identity Thefts

Four people were arrested in Vista, California recently, as well as two others currently in state prison, on suspicion of ensnaring over 100 victims who collectively lost about $500,000, in connection with the operation of an identity fraud ring. They are suspected of using a bogus mortgage company, First Choice Mortgage, to collect personal identification information from the victims, which was then used to purchase goods that were then either sold or returned for refunds.

Michael Alexander Hartsell, Oscar Barbosa, Daniela Dominique DiLorenzo, Patricia Ann McIntosh, William Andrew Padworski, and Natasha C. DiLorenzo have all been charged with being part of the ring.

Reportedly, the two members currently in state prison received the victims' I.D. data that was collected through the straw mortgage company, using prison computers to process the information.

To read more, see Four arrested in Vista on suspicion of being part of identity theft ring, appearing in North County Times.
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