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Investor headed to prison for fraud scheme after taking $62.8 million

Dave Williams  |  Capitol Beat News ServiceReal estate investor headed to prison in Atlanta fraud schemeBy Dave WilliamsBureau ChiefCapitol Beat News ServiceATLANTA - The head of a commercial real estate investment firm has been sentenced to 87 months in prison and ordered to pay $45 million in restitution in a fraud scheme involving the Atlanta Financial Center in Buckhead.Elchonon (Elie) Schwartz, 46, of New York City pleaded guilty in February to one count of wire fraud. Schwartz convinced more than 800 investors to send him $62.8 million, including $54 million...
USA Property

Delaware free alert services to combat AI-driven real estate fraud

Texting was already available, but now a translation service is offeredThe Dover Police Department is one of the first in the U.S. to use the enhanced 911 service for sharing of photos and videos, and text translation.A real estate agent impersonates a seller and pockets $3 million from fraudulent property sales. A Los Angeles homeowner loses their house to an international identity theft ring. In Florida, during a scheduled video call with the seller, a title company is met with an AI-generated fake.These stories may sound sensational, but the crimes...
USA Property

Video shows woman charged with assault holding teens at gunpoint

Donna Marie Elkins, 59, was charged with assault and imprisonment after drawing a weapon on teens she said were fishing on her Florida property. The incident raised questions about property rights.Melbourne woman charged with holding teens at gunpointBrevard County Sheriff's deputies say Donna Marie Elkins, 59, drew a weapon on two teens she believed were fishing on her property.It was a sight that left Mike Jones sick to his stomach.There, live on his phone, was his son lying in the grass as a woman clutching a long pellet gun screamed,...
USA Property

DOGE claims real estate savings in Louisiana. Here’s how much and where

Highlights from Friday's game between Captain Shreve and CarencroHighlights from Friday's game between Captain Shreve and Carencro in the LHSAA Division I playoffsThe Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, claims to have terminated 748 real estate leases throughout the U.S., totaling approximately 9,587,384 square feet and $660 million.Along with real estate terminations, DOGE has terminated 2,334 contracts and 3,489 grants. All leases, contracts and grants, as well as amounts DOGE has claimed to save, can be found on DOGE's "Wall of Receipts."DOGE claims to have saved a total...