Latest news with #forgery
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
This Georgia family claims their $500K home was stolen after it was sold using a forged deed — now they're suing
James and Lucretia Klucken have spent the past five years fighting a battle they never saw coming. In 2019, the couple began receiving letters for payment on a $50,000 reverse mortgage — debt tied to a home that had been in James' family for generations. Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) You don't have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here's how The couple soon discovered someone had forged James' signature on the property's warranty deed, transferring ownership without their knowledge. As the power of attorney for his late grandmother's estate, James combed through the documents and confirmed the forgery. 'It's heart-wrenching,' James told Channel 2 Action News Atlanta. 'This is the only place I've ever called home.' The Kluckens filed a complaint with the Walton County Sheriff's Office in Georgia, but ultimately they were told it was a civil matter. If a forged signature can put someone's lifelong home at risk, how safe is your own property paperwork? Reverse mortgages are falling out of favor Determined to prove the fraud, the Kluckens hired a handwriting expert, who confirmed the signature on the deed did not belong to James. But by the time they had proof, it was too late. 'It accumulated to us losing our home because of forged documents,' Lucretia said. A reverse mortgage allows homeowners to convert part of their home equity into cash. Unlike a traditional mortgage, borrowers don't make monthly payments. Instead, interest and fees pile up over time, increasing the loan balance while eating away at the homeowner's equity. The debt is repaid when the property is sold, the owner moves out or passes away. The popularity of reverse mortgages has dipped in recent years, falling from 119,000 borrowers in 2009 to just 19,894 in the first half of 2024. Stricter federal regulations and rising interest rates have made these loans less appealing, while many older homeowners are opting to sell or downsize instead. In the Kluckens' case, the forged deed had been notarized by a closing attorney and a witness they say they never met. With the reverse mortgage unresolved, their home went into foreclosure, and they were evicted from their home. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it It happens more than you think The Kluckens have filed a lawsuit against Maverick Land Company LLC, which purchased their home at auction. They allege Maverick proceeded with the sale despite being told the mortgage documents were forged. The company later offered more than $300,000 to settle and avoid litigation — an offer the couple refused. 'None of this can happen unless you have someone in power, in authority to stamp on paperwork to push it through the system,' Lucretia said. According to the Walton County Sheriff's Office, the closing attorney initially agreed to testify, claiming she saw James sign the document — an allegation he denies. The attorney, however, did not take the stand during the hearing. WSB-TV 2 Atlanta reached out to both the closing company and the closing attorney for comment, but neither has responded. Title fraud is a growing threat in the real estate market. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported losses from internet-enabled crimes exceeded $16 billion in 2024. While not all of those losses are tied to real estate, title and mortgage fraud have become commonplace. In Q1 2025 alone, FundingShield reported that nearly 47% of transactions showed signs of wire or title fraud, the highest level ever recorded. To protect your property, regularly review public property records via your county clerk's office to ensure no unauthorized liens or transfers have been filed. Title monitoring services — similar to credit monitoring — can also alert you to suspicious activity. 'We want to die in this house,' Lucretia said. 'We want to give it to our children.' If you're considering a reverse mortgage or other equity-based loan, work with reputable lenders and have all documents reviewed by a real estate attorney. What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here's how Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump Claims Someone May Have Forged His Signature on Birthday Letter to Epstein
President Donald Trump has, at this point, provided several implausible excuses for a slate of reports concerning his former friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Today, Trump threw out a new rationale for a Wall Street Journal report alleging he wrote a raunchy birthday letter to Epstein in 2003: Someone forged his signature. Speaking today to reporters outside the White House, Trump was asked if he maintained that he didn't write the supposed letter, which was reportedly featured in a book of similar congratulatory notes given to Epstein by his friends for his 50th birthday. 'I don't even know what they're talking about,' the president said. 'Now, somebody could have written a letter and used my name, but that's happened a lot.' According to the Journal report last week, Trump's salacious letter to Epstein featured a poem about how 'we have certain things in common.' The letter reportedly referred to Epstein as a pal, and added: 'Happy birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.' Trump has notably already filed a lawsuit against the Journal and its reporters claiming that the letter doesn't even exist — calling it 'fake and nonexistent.' A lawyer representing Epstein's victims asserted Wednesday that Epstein's estate has, in its possession, a copy of the book of birthday notes sent to the disgraced financier, arguing that Congress could subpoena it. Trump pivoted to complaining about a 'dossier' produced by Democrats. 'Everything's fake with that administration,' Trump said, presumably referring to the Obama administration and the so-called Steele dossier, a controversial compilation of unverified gossip about Trump and Russia put together in 2016. 'Everything's fake with the Democrats; take a look at what they just found about the dossier. Everything is fake.' In the same press gaggle, Trump complained that members of the media should focus more on 'the fact that Larry Summers — from Harvard — Bill Clinton,' and others were close friends with Epstein during his time as a staple in the New York City social scene. 'I had nothing to do with the guy,' Trump added. Trump, of course, knew Epstein well. Besides reportedly writing a birthday card to Epstein, Trump was regularly photographed with him and his socialite partner, convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. 'I've known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy,' Trump infamously said in 2002. 'He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life.' According to a Thursday report from The New York Times, Epstein's birthday card wasn't the only time Trump memorialized his admiration for Epstein in writing. 'Jeff — You are the greatest!' Trump wrote in a note inscribed in a copy of his book Trump: The Art of the Comeback. Perhaps someone else signed this book, too. More from Rolling Stone Trump Is Trying to Hide the Cost of Renovating His New Air Force One Supreme Court Lets Trump Enact His Authoritarian Agenda on Its 'Shadow Docket' Trump's Senior Moments Are Getting Worse Best of Rolling Stone The Useful Idiots New Guide to the Most Stoned Moments of the 2020 Presidential Campaign Anatomy of a Fake News Scandal The Radical Crusade of Mike Pence
News24
24-07-2025
- News24
LLB(ogus): Prosecutor in court over ‘falsified' law degree to secure NPA position
A 33-year-old Eastern Cape prosecutor appeared in the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on charges of fraud, forgery and uttering. Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once.
News.com.au
24-07-2025
- News.com.au
Police seeking help to identify man charged with six counts of fraud in Queensland
A man charged with multiple fraud offences is also wanted in the United States, it's been revealed, as police work to confirm his identity. Police from the Ferny Grove Criminal Investigation Branch in Queensland released an image of the 32-year-old man, who has been charged with six counts of fraud, and one count each of attempted fraud, stealing, receiving tainted property, dealing with identification information, forgery, possessing false foreign travel documents and contravene police requirement. Though the man identified himself to police as Paul Sorin Kimpian, he is also believed to go by the names Roman Janecek and Jean Paul Fontaine. He is described as being of Romanian appearance, approximately 184cm tall, with balding dark brown hair and a moustache, and is believed to frequent the Brisbane and Gold Coast regions and travel via public transport. Police said he may also have recently been in Cairns. Mr Kimpian's matter was heard at Brisbane Arrests Court on Thursday, with Legal Aid lawyer Ollie Labone telling Magistrate Aaron Simpson his client was seeking a lengthy plea date. 'He doesn't have any Australian history but I assume the circumstances will require a lengthier plea than normal,' Mr Labone said. The court also heard that Mr Kimpian – whose fraud matter relates to as much as $10,000 or $12,000 – is wanted overseas. 'There's an international extradition that will likely be waiting on him, he's skipped bail in America,' he said. Police have put in a request to obtain his American history. Anyone with information that may assist ongoing investigations, including the man's identity and residence, or anyone connected to him, is encouraged to contact police. Police also encouraged anyone who notices fraudulent transactions on their accounts to notify their financial institution immediately, then report the matter to police and seek any personal support they may need. The matter was adjourned to September 11.
Arab News
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Lebanese parliament lifts MP immunity, refers 3 former ministers for corruption probe
BEIRUT: The Lebanese Parliament voted by a majority of 99 out of 128 members on Wednesday to lift the immunity of MP George Bouchikian, paving the way for a civil prosecution on charges of embezzlement, forgery and extortion. The charges are based on complaints filed by several factory owners accusing Bouchikian of committing the offences during his tenure as minister of industry in former Prime Minister Najib Mikati's government. In a separate vote, 88 members approved the referral of former telecommunications ministers Boutros Harb, Nicolas Sehnaoui and Jamal Jarrah to an investigative committee over documented allegations of 'mismanaging tens of millions of dollars in building leases and contracting operations.' Public Prosecutor Jamal Hajjar submitted a formal request to the General Secretariat of Parliament to lift Bouchikian's parliamentary immunity. Hajjar questioned Bouchikian as a witness in late June but the former minister left Lebanon for Canada shortly afterwards, confirmed in a statement given two days ago. He is not expected to return now his parliamentary immunity has been removed. A judicial source told Arab News: 'Bouchikian was questioned following testimony from factory owners who alleged that he, through his office manager and private driver, accepted payments between $50,000 and $70,000 for each work permit application submitted.' According to the source, the investigating judge at the time 'lacked the authority to arrest Bouchikian or confiscate his passport due to his parliamentary immunity. It appears he took advantage of this loophole to leave the country, anticipating that formal charges were imminent.' The source added: 'Four employees have been detained and charged in connection with the case, while Bouchikian's office manager and driver went into hiding.' This is the first time parliamentary immunity has been lifted since 2000, when it was stripped from MP Chahe Barsoumian over a corruption case related to oil storage contracts. The move came during former president Emile Lahoud's high-profile campaign against corruption and waste. This largely targeted officials from the era of his predecessor, Elias Hrawi, and Rafik Hariri, the late prime minister who led most of Hrawi's governments. Barsoumian was eventually acquitted following Hariri's assassination in 2005 and the election of a new parliament dominated by opponents of the previous establishment. In 2004, a parliamentary investigative committee concluded that 'the acts attributed to Barsoumian were not sufficiently proven, and there was no legal basis for indictment or prosecution.' Meanwhile in its legislative session, the Lebanese parliament summoned former telecommunications ministers Harb, Sehnaoui, and Jarrah. The three appeared in order to submit legal defenses against allegations of administrative and financial irregularities raised by the Financial Judiciary, which had formally requested their referral to the Supreme Council for the Trial of Presidents and Ministers. All MPs opposed the treatment of the ministers as a single case. The case of the three ministers is linked to several issues, including that of the Kassabian building, which was leased by MIC 2. Rental fees for the first four years totaled $10 million, but the company did not benefit from it due to its unsuitability. The state is still paying the rent. The second case concerns the squandering of millions of dollars by using the revenues of the two mobile phone companies to fund various social activities. In 2022, a group of MPs filed an indictment against the three ministers in the telecommunications case, referring them to the Supreme Council for the Trial of Presidents and Ministers. Harb, a prominent figure in Lebanon's sovereign bloc, told the parliament his conscience was clear 'because I did not breach the law, but rather preserved public funds and stopped waste, and I am fully prepared to cooperate with any investigative committee formed.' Sehnaoui told MPs: 'My conscience is clear, and I was the one who negotiated with the owner of the building that was being rented to unify the workplace of Touch Mobile employees at the lowest price.' He also claimed Zain International inspected the building and stated it was suitable. 'It was later discovered that it could not support the very heavy equipment on its roof and needed modifications. How could I know that it was not if the international company stated otherwise?' he said. Jarrah stated: 'The Financial Public Prosecutor did not request any documents or papers to prove our statements regarding the funding of social activities. When we left his office, we heard about our accusations in the media.'
