Sunday, November 13, 2011

Cops: Prosecutors Likely To Get Case Against Local Man Suspected Of Renting Out Vacant Foreclosures To Unwitting Tenants

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, KOB-TV Channel 4 reports:
  • The Albuquerque Police Department is investigating a possible rental scam using foreclosed and abandoned properties. APD’s White Collar Crimes Unit has been investigating Shaun Anaya who owns Olive Tree Property Management out of Albuquerque.


  • According to police reports, Anaya is suspected of putting people in foreclosed and abandoned homes to be a caretakers of the house during the foreclosure process. According to the renters statements to police, Anaya charges the renter just a couple hundred dollars a month while they live in the house.


  • When police contacted the banks they said no one should be in the homes and they'd never had contact with Anaya or Olive Tree Property Management.


  • Neighbors in a recent incident tipped off police when someone moved into a nearby home that wasn't supposed to be occupied. "Olive Tree is coming in and saying they own property that the don't. I think they're forging something. Something not right," said Tina Conary, a neighbor in southwest Albuquerque. Anaya wouldn't give KOB Eyewitness News 4 an interview but over the phone he denied all the accusations.


  • Police warn if you have an abandoned or foreclosed house in your neighborhood and someone moves in that you don't think should be there, call police. Officers say they're seeing this growing problem in Las Vegas, Nevada and Phoenix.


  • Albuquerque Police officer say they'll likely submit a case against Anaya to the Bernalillo District Attorney's Office by the end of November. Officers say Anaya has an extensive criminal record.

Source: Rental scams hits Albuquerque foreclosed homes.