San Diego-Area Foreclosure Rescue Operator Faces Felony Charges For Allegedly Screwing 17 Homeowners In 150 Year Old Land Patent Scam

In San Diego, California, KGTV Channel 10 reports:

• A man accused of stealing more than $100,000 from people in a land patent foreclosure scam pleaded not guilty Wednesday to numerous felony charges involving the 17 alleged victims. Larry Smith, 60, allegedly told people who came to his seminars that if they gave him thousands of dollars, he would help them buy a land patent so the bank couldn't foreclose on it.

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• Five others are charged in the case with Smith, although only one has been arrested, [Deputy District Attorney Marlene] Coyne said. The prosecutor said she believes there are more people allegedly victimized by Smith, who have not yet come forward.(1)

For more, see Man Pleads Not Guilty In Alleged Foreclosure Scam.

See also, KTNV-TV Channel 13 (Las Vegas): Accused foreclosure con man busted (A man accused of preying on vulnerable victims desperate to save their homes is in jail following an investigation that spanned two states. Authorities say 60-year-old Larry Smith held seminars in real estate offices in Las Vegas and San Diego where he reportedly took hundreds of thousands of dollars from people in dire straits).

For related KGTV Channel 10 reports on this case, see:

• December 22, 2008: Man Takes Alleged Land Patent Scheme To Other States (Larry Smith Accused Of Using 150-Year-Old Scam On Foreclosure Victims),
• July 17, 2008: I-Team Pursues Man Suspected In Land Patent Scheme.

(1) Smith was charged with conspiracy to commit grand theft, conspiracy to commit deceitful practices by a foreclosure consultant and numerous counts of grand theft.