San Bernardino DA Puts Pinch On Pair Accused Of Hijacking Title To Vacant Home, Then Flipping It To Unwitting Buyer For $440K+; Duo Faces 22 Felony Counts Of I.D. Theft, Forgery, Procuring & Offering False/Forged Instruments, Conspiracy

From the Office of the San Bernardino County, California District Attorney:

• A Rancho Cucamonga man and woman were recently arrested for stealing Title on a home and selling it for profit.
  
  Investigators from the District Attorney’s Office Real Estate Fraud Unit arrested Emma Adel, 45, and Mazen Fazah, 39, on Nov. 25, 2014. Both Adel and Fazah were booked at West Valley Detention Center on felony arrest warrants for various criminal acts involving felony real estate fraud.
  
  Following the arrest, DA Investigators executed a search warrant on their homes and Upland-based business, Smart Edge Auto.
  
  “During the search we were able to seize additional evidence related to the investigation,” said Senior Investigator John Vega, who is assigned to the case.
  
  In June 2014, Adel and Fazah allegedly unlawfully acquired a vacant house in Rancho Cucamonga and forged the names of the owner and notary public on the grant deed. Next, they transferred the property into their own business called “Perking’s Trust.”
  
  According to Vega, shortly after recording the false grant deed with the County Recorder, the pair deceived the escrow and title companies and sold the house to an unsuspecting buyer for over $440,000.
  
  Adel and Fazah were booked on 22 felony charges (see attached copy of the complaint) with more charges pending in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Deputy District Attorney Vance Welch will prosecute this case. Adel and Fazah were arraigned via video Nov. 26, and both pleaded not guilty to all counts. A Disposition/Reset Hearing is scheduled Dec. 22 at the San Bernardino Justice Center.

Source: Rancho Cucamonga Pair Arrested for Stealing Title on Home and Selling it for Profit.