US Army veteran’s fully furnished home sold behind his back – new owner then got rid of military memorabilia and antique

A US Army veteran’s home ended up being sold behind his back after he fell victim to a scam, cops have said.

Investigators in Virginia said the former servicemember’s plight didn’t end there as his property was cleared.

Cops said the veteran, who had served in the forces for 20 years, ended up losing military memorabilia and his Jeep, per The Miami Herald.

It turned out that he fell victim to an elaborate scam that saw residents’ identities stolen and their properties sold without them knowing.

Jose Manuel Santiago, 43, and Rosson Dwayne Hamilton, 40, created bank accounts in the name of the homeowners, per The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Virginia.

Santiago recruited Vernon Lavoie, 59, who allegedly used fake IDs to present himself as the homeowner.

Funds were deposited into bank accounts before being withdrawn.

Santiago has been sentenced to three years on charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

He targeted homes in Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina and the trio tried to sell 10 properties.

In another case, the suspects impersonated the family of a sick woman and claimed they wanted to sell her home before she died.

The home, located in Tampa, Florida, was sold for $65,000, cops revealed.  

Prosecutors revealed the money was used to buy jewelry and to fund a trip to a hotel and casino.

Hamilton pled guilty and was hit with a one-day prison sentence.

Meanwhile, Lavoie was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison after pleading guilty in July 2021.

Experts at Adept Property Lawyers have warned homeowners are more at risk of falling victim to such fraud schemes if the property is empty.

Real estate investors have warned fraudsters are smart.

Ronald Alphonso, a principal broker, revealed scammers are sophisticated when it comes to the homes they target, per The National Post.

“What is problematic is that these are very sophisticated people. This is planned,” he warned.

Alphonso said homeowners should invest in title insurance and revealed it is the first line of defense.

Homeowners are also encouraged to keep an eye on their credit reports and bills that arrive at the property.

Experts at the personal finance website Kiplinger say one sign of potential deed fraud is when foreclosure notices are issued out of the blue.

Potential red flags also include not receiving bills and the cost of utilities rising suddenly inside a vacant property.