SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – A 56-year-old man has been arrested and charged for defrauding banks and financial businesses by illegally filing fraudulent Grant Deeds on properties throughout San Bernardino County.
David Alan Boucher is charged with 63 felony counts of Filing False Documents, Forgery and Identity Theft. If convicted as charged, he faces a maximum sentence of 16 years and 4 months in state prison.
On the morning of July 28, 2012, Boucher was arrested at his Upland residence without incident by investigators from the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office Real Estate Fraud Unit. Other agencies involved in the arrest include the FBI, Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.
“This is a disgraceful crime because of the financial impact that it has had on the victims in this case,” said District Attorney Michael Ramos. “Enough is enough. Let it be known that if you come into our county and try to defraud our citizens, we will go after you in pursuit of justice.”
Following Boucher’s arrest, a search warrant was subsequently served on the residence and his Bloomington business. Investigators seized records, weapons, $127,000 in cash, as well as silver coins and bars.
HOW THE SCHEME WORKS:
Boucher locates properties that have been sold at foreclosure auction and currently belong to a lending institution. He then fraudulently signs Grant Deeds as the “Authorized Representative” of the bank, which has acquired the foreclosure home.
After having the documents notarized, Boucher or one of his representative then records the Grant Deeds at the San Bernardino County Recorder’s Office. In some instances, after the fraudulent transfer of title, hard money loans are obtained on the properties.
Boucher has fraudulently transferred approximately 20 properties in San Bernardino County, representing a property value of approximately $4.5 million dollars.
District Attorney Investigators believe there may be additional victims. Members of the media are asked to share the following information: If you suspect that you been victimized by David Alan Boucher, or any of his associates, please contact the District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit at (909) 891-3519.
Boucher is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Friday, August 31, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.
“I would just encourage anybody out there who may have fallen victim to this scheme to come forward and contact our office so we can ensure justice is served,” said Ramos.
Click here to download a copy of the complaint.