| For Immediate Release Case # 10CF2914
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Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
OCDA SEEKS PUBLIC’S HELP IN IDENTIFYING ADDITIONAL HISPANIC VICTIMS OF MAN CHARGED WITH DEFRAUDING OVER $87,000 FROM IN REAL ESTATE FRAUD SCHEME
SANTA ANA – The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) is asking for the public’s help in identifying potential additional Hispanic victims of a man who was arraigned today for defrauding over $87,000 from Hispanic victims in real estate fraud scheme. Arthur Gonzales Diaz, 56, Anaheim, is charged with seven felony counts of grand theft and one misdemeanor count of engaging in business as a real estate broker without a license with a sentencing enhancement for property damage exceeding $65,000. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of eight years in state prison. Diaz is being held on $75,000 bail and must prove the money is from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled Nov. 18, 2010, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
Beginning in August 2008, Diaz is accused of illegally operating as an independent Real Estate Mortgage Broker, despite his license being suspended since 1998. He is accused of coercing Spanish speaking victims into giving him money for bogus real estate deals including home loan modifications, short sales, home sales and purchases.
Diaz is accused of setting up three corporations Trans-World International Securities, Inc. International Marketing Network Corporation, and Banco International Realty, Inc. The defendant is accused of running independent operations out two Santa Ana offices, a RE/MAX branch office located at 2951 South Plaza Drive and a Century 21 Real Estate office located at 3500 South Bristol Street.
Between Aug. 1, 2008, and Dec. 16, 2009, Diaz is accused of knocking on door of Alicia L.’s home under the pretense of being a legitimate real estate broker at RE/MAX in Santa Ana. Diaz is accused of fraudulently taking $15,000 from the victim, not purchasing a home for her, obtaining a co-signer on her home loan, and returning only $2,000 of her money.
In March 2009, Diaz is accused of meeting victim Jesus A. while illegally operating his real estate business out of RE/MAX. He is accused of promising that for $9,000 the defendant’s investors would purchase the home and re-sell it to the victim at a fixed mortgage rate. The defendant is accused of fraudulently taking the money, not selling the victim’s property, and causing the victim’s property to foreclose.
In April 2009, Diaz is accused of meeting Valerio S., who was attempting to get a loan modification completed at RE/MAX with another agent. Diaz is accused of fraudulently taking $15,500 from the victim and not purchasing a home for the victim or getting a home loan co-signer as promised.
In June 2009, the defendant is accused of meeting Efrain H. at RE/MAX and offering his services to help him purchase a home. Diaz is accused of taking $5,000 from the victim for a down payment on a home. Diaz never purchased a home for the victim or returned his money.