Mortgage Fraud Scheme Nets 20 Suspects

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (WUSA) -- Investigators found bunches of jury-rigged electrical cords, mountains of trash, and multiple cooking devices and sleeping areas. In one home, they found a mother, father and infant sleeping in a small furnace room that was unvented.

The Fairfax County strike force was set in motion two years ago to crack down on illegal boarding houses. It uncovered an elaborate mortgage scheme involving 35 homes, real estate agents, mortgage brokers and subcontractors. So far, 20 people are under arrest.

They would float money into the accounts of straw buyers who would often tear down the home, build a mansion and turn it into a boarding house.

The 35 homes are on the east side of the county. Communities where people spoke out and complained whey they saw something wasn't right.

The FBI and Fairfax County police encourage citizens to keep coming forward with complaints because they believe there are more cases.