How To Protect Yourself Against Fraud: Crooks Of 2019

This was published in the November, 2019 issue of THE PAPER SOURCE JOURNAL. For information on subscribing, click on the tab above, “Paper Source Journal.”
Why am I posting a roundup of note frauds committed this year (so far)?Its because most people aren’t aware of how many there are and how serious is the problem. THE PAPER SOURCE appears to be the only source of this information in the note industry, and so many people continue to be victimized. I dont want you to be one of them.Thousands of investors lost over $2.2 billion in the fraudulent note funds below just this year alone. And this is not even a complete list.
Here are some tips to protect yourself against fraud:
  • * When you buy a note, TAKE POSSESSION OF IT. Own all the original documents, including the assignment from the seller with their actual signature, not copies.
  • * Service your notes yourself or hire a servicing company not affiliated with the note seller.
  • * Dont invest in note funds or joint ventures, etc. Do not trust others with your money. (Yes, undoubtedly there are some good funds, but even honest people can unknowingly hire crooks.)
  • * Don’t buy notes from those who teach notes: that’s an inherent conflict of interest. No honest person would teach you how to buy notes at the best price and then try to sell you notes.
Many of these note fraudsreported in2019 (with one exception) arecourtesy of ThePonziBook.blogspot.com
Robert Shapiro pleaded guilty to running a $1.3 billion Ponzi scheme through WoodbridgeGroup of Companies. Woodbridge’s funds promised investors big returns onreal estate notes.The scheme defrauded more than 9,000 victims. Shapiro admitted that he misappropriated between$25 million and $95 million of investor funds. Two alleged co-conspirators, Dane Roseman and IvanAcevedo, are scheduled for trial next year.
Lynette Robbins and her companyKnowles Systemsraised about $147 million from investors by advising them that theinvestments in Woodbridge were safe and secure. Floyd Powell was also barred by the SEC from selling securities; he sold Woodbridge notes to 13 investors and consented to a settlement withoutadmitting or denying the allegations.
Stephen Condon Peters was sentenced to 40 years in prison and ordered to repay investors$15 million for a note Ponzi scheme through VisionQuest Wealth Management.

Shayeh Dov was sentenced to over 7 years in prison and ordered to pay $3 million inrestitution to investors in his note fund that did not own any notes. Dov spent the money on lavishindulgences.

Terry Wayne Kelly Jr. and Kelly Management were charged by the SEC in connection withselling notes in a Ponzi scheme fund called Madison Timber Properties.

 Vincent P. Falci was sentenced to 15 years in prison for running a $10 million tax lien fundPonzi scheme.Falci defrauded victims through Saber Funds andVicor Tax Receivables, providing fake investmentgains on every monthly statement. Falci diverted the funds to himself.

Kevin Merrill of Delmarva Capital and his partners Jay Ledford and Cameron Jezierskipleaded guilty to running a $550 million Ponzi, enticing investors to buy intoafund of consumer debt portfolios. But there were no portfolios. Merrill used investors’ money to buy25 super-luxury cars and 6 homes, among many otherthings. They face decades in prison.

James Nickels collected more than $5 million from investors in his phony note fund TheFiscal Concierge.

McKinley Mortgage note fund officials Tobias, Charles and Caleb Preston agreed to pay over $3 million in fines and repay investors some $30 million after the SEC charged them with misusing funds. The SEC asserts that the company lost money for years and was insolvent by 2012. Still, the SEC says, the fund kept raising money and providing false documents to investors claiming thefund generated strong annual returns.

Phillip Michael Carter was accused by the SEC of running a note fund Ponzi that raised $45million. The alleged scheme was run with Bobby Eugene Guess and Richard Tilford and defrauded270 investors. Carter and Tilford were indicted last year, and Guess is currently serving a 12-yearprison sentence after pleading guilty to a similar note fund fraud.

There are many more. These are just some of the most recent ones. This is why we do notpermit note funds to advertise with us or to exhibit at our events (www.PaperSourceSeminars.com). Doubtlessly there are some honest funds, but Im not a fortune teller, and I doubt you are, either. ALWAYS take title to your notes.

The post How To Protect Yourself Against Fraud: Crooks Of 2019 appeared first on Paper Source Online.

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