Monday, September 12, 2011

Nevada AG Bags Suspect For Allegedly Refinancing Equity Out From Under Unwitting Homeowner

From the Office of the Nevada Attorney General:
  • The Office of the Nevada Attorney General announced an indictment [] against Shafik Hirji, 53, who unlawfully obtained financing on the home of one of his acquaintances. Hirji, of Las Vegas, was indicted on three counts of forgery and one count of theft for obtaining a loan on the victim’s home and embezzling the proceeds.


  • The indictment alleges that Hirji completed loan documents in the homeowner’s name and used them to effectuate the loan transaction. In the process, Hirji induced a notary public to certify that the signatures contained on the documents were true and then presented these documents to the lender. The indictment further alleges that Hirji retained the proceeds of the loan, directing that they be deposited into a bank account under his control.


  • "The facts surrounding this particular crime are especially troubling," said Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto. "The fact that the owner was unaware his home had been refinanced indicates the crime was committed by someone the victim trusted. My office continues to place a high priority on prosecuting fraud in Nevada."

For the Nevada AG press release, see Attorney General Announces Indictments In Mortgage Refinancing Scam.