Network Of Recruiters With Connection To Organizations Of Trust Used To Target Scam Victims

Last week, law enforcement officials in California arrested a five person ring on charges of conspiracy and grand theft for allegedly running a foreclosure rescue scam.

The North County Times reports that, according to division chief for economic crimes Michael Groch at the county district attorney, scam artists often operate in organizations of trust; and officials are trying to piece together a network of recruiters used to net the troubled homeowners allegedly targeted by this group.

• Groch, the district attorney division chief, said fraudulent schemes routinely employ a network of recruiters who will use organizations that people feel comfortable with, such as churches, baseball teams or Boy Scout troops, to ensnare victims. "Oftentimes they will utilize their trust, and for a lot of people, that's their faith," Groch said. "There's plenty of good services promoted at church. But just because you hear about something in a church environment, you shouldn't give it any additional credence."

For more, see Churches used to ensnare foreclosure victims, officials say (One recruiter says scheme was legitimate).