San Diego DA Bags Pair In Alleged Forged Deed, Bogus Bankruptcy Filing, Rent Skimming Ripoff Affecting 300+ Victims Throughout Five Counties

In San Diego, California, KGTV-TV Channel 10 reports:

• Two brothers were charged Tuesday in a $1.5 million foreclosure fraud scheme in which they allegedly stole the identity of several notaries and forged hundreds of deeds across five counties, including San Diego.

• David Zepeda, 57, and John Zepeda, 59, are each charged with 104 felony counts, including identity theft, forgery, grand theft and rent-skimming. The "brazen" conspiracy involved more than 300 victims, said San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis.

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• In San Diego, more than 40 alleged victims have been identified, with losses totaling approximately $100,000, Dumanis said. Victims were also located in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties, as well as Clark County in Nevada, said Deputy District Attorney Valerie Tanney.

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• Authorities said the Zepeda brothers identified properties in foreclosure and acquired title either by forging a quitclaim deed, which transfers the property into a trust, or convincing homeowners to transfer the property to them by promising the homeowner they would help avoid foreclosure.

• Once they had acquired the title, the Zepedas would rent out the property, according to authorities. In order to forestall the foreclosure process and to extend the period over which they collected rent, the brothers also filed bankruptcy petitions, prosecutors said.

For more, see Brothers Charged In $1.5M Foreclosure Fraud Scheme (David And John Zepeda Each Face 104 Felony Counts).