Cops: Fake R/E Agent Conned Elderly Couple Facing F'closure Into Signing Over Deed, Then Pockets $45K Deposit From Would-Be Buyer In Failed Sale

In Orlando, Florida, WESH-TV Channel 2 reports:

• One man was arrested Friday and accused of real estate fraud. Authorities with the Orange County Sheriff's Office said they believe there could be more victims. Investigators said Dave Howell, 31, had a real estate office and was taking the clients' money, but he doesn't have a real estate license.

• Deputies said Howell contacted an elderly couple who was in foreclosure and promised he could sell their home in a short sale. Investigators said Howell had the couple sign what ended up being fake documents and also signed over the title over their house to him.

• Authorities said Howell then contacted a buyer and said he could sell the house for $85,000, but first the buyer paid what she thought was a $45,000 escrow deposit. "The transaction never closed," Orange County Sheriff's Office spokesman William Cruz said.

• "The bank account where the suspect deposited this escrow of $45,000 was completely depleted, misappropriated, ultimately stolen." Investigators said Howell had an office off of South Hiawassee Road called Nationwide Consultants LLC and has being doing business for about one year. He has been charged with practicing real estate without a license and grand theft.

Source: 1 Arrested In Real Estate Fraud Case (Howell Accused Of Grand Theft, Practicing Real Estate Without License).