Scammer Dupes 80-Year Old Woman Out Of $450K In Phony Investment Scheme; Victim Took Out Three Loans On Previously Mortgage Free Home To Invest

In Santa Rosa, California, The Press Democrat reports:

• A Windsor plumber pleaded no-contest Thursday to 19 felony counts of real estate fraud in a scam that cost investors more than $1 million. Juan Carlos Alcala, 32, will receive up to seven years in prison at his March 24 sentencing under an agreement that avoids trial, Deputy District Attorney Robin Hammond said.

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• [In addition to other defrauded victims, f]urther investigation revealed he had also defrauded an 80-year-old Sebastopol woman out of $450,0000 over three years [...]. The woman initially hired him for plumbing work. Alcala told the woman he needed money to invest in property he was fixing and persuaded her to give him $200,000 in cash and take out three mortgages on a home she owned outright, Hammond said.

For the story, see Real estate fraud could bring Windsor plumber 7 years in prison.