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FBI Issues 2008 Mortgage Fraud Report

Allison Tussey —  July 7, 2009 — 1 Comment

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 2008 Mortgage Fraud Report, mortgage fraud Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) referred to law enforcement increased 36 percent to 63,713 during fiscal year (FY) 2008, compared to 46,717 reports in FY 2007. While the total dollar loss attributed to mortgage fraud is unknown, financial institutions reported losses of at least $1.4 billion, an increase of 83.4 percent from FY 2007.

The full report follows:

Key Findings | Introduction | Top Geographical Areas for Mortgage Fraud | Breakdown of Sources
Emerging Schemes | FBI Response | Outlook | Appendix A | Appendix B | Appendix C

Scope Note

The purpose of this study is to provide insight into the breadth and depth of mortgage fraud crimes perpetrated against the United States and its citizens during 2008. This report updates the 2007 Mortgage Fraud Report and addresses current mortgage fraud projections, issues, and the identification of mortgage fraud “hot spots.” The objective of this study is to provide FBI program managers with relevant data to better understand the threat, the trends, allocation of resources, and to prioritize investigations. The report was requested by the Financial Crimes Section, Criminal Investigative Division (CID), and prepared by the Financial Crimes Intelligence Unit (FCIU), Directorate of Intelligence (DI).

This report is based on FBI, state, and local law enforcement, mortgage industry, and open-source reporting. Information also was provided by other government agencies, including the US Department of Housing and Urban Development-Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG), Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Internal Revenue Service, US Postal Inspection Service, and the Federal National Mortgage Association. Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) were obtained from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Industry reporting was obtained from the Mortgage Asset Research Institute (MARI), RealtyTrac, Inc., Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), Interthinx, and Radian Guaranty, Inc. Some industry reporting was acquired via open-sources.

While the FBI has high confidence in all of these sources, some inconsistencies relative to how various organizations catalog their statistics are noted. SARs are cataloged according to the year in which they are submitted. However, their information may describe activity that occurred months or years previously. The geographic specificity of industry reporting varies; some companies report at the zip code level, others by city, region, or state. Many of the statistics provided by the external sources, including FinCEN, FHA, and HUD-OIG are captured by fiscal year, while this report focuses on the calendar year findings. While these discrepancies have minimal impact on the overall findings stated in this report, we have noted specific instances in the text where they may affect conclusions.

See Appendix B for additional information for these sources.

Geospatial maps were provided by the Geospatial Intelligence Unit, DI and the Crime Analysis Research and Development Unit, Criminal Justice Information Services Division.

Key Findings

  • Mortgage fraud continued to be an escalating problem in the United States during 2008. Although no central repository exists for collecting mortgage fraud complaints, virtually all law enforcement and industry statistics indicated an upswing in mortgage fraud activity. SAR mortgage fraud filings from financial institutions increased 36 percent to 63,713 during Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 compared to 46,717 filings in FY 2007. The total dollar loss attributed to mortgage fraud is unknown; however, at least 63 percent (1,035) of all pending FBI mortgage fraud investigations during FY 2008 involved dollar losses totaling more than $1 million.
  • A decrease in loan originations and an increase in defaults and foreclosures continued to dominate the downward trend in the housing market in 2008. While the amount of mortgage fraud cannot be precisely determined, industry experts agree that there is a direct correlation between fraud and distressed real estate markets. As the housing market continued to decline in response to an increase in housing inventories, lack of sales, and new foreclosures surface, to include a wave of Alt-A and Option ARM loans due to reset beginning in April 2009, real estate values softened, and fraud reporting increased throughout 2008.
  • Analysis of available law enforcement and industry information indicates the top states for mortgage fraud during 2008 were California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Arizona, Texas, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Colorado, Nevada, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia were new to the list in 2008, replacing Utah, Indiana, Tennessee and Connecticut from 2007.
  • The downward trend in the housing market during 2008 provided a favorable climate for mortgage fraud schemes to proliferate. Several of these schemes have the potential to spread if the current economic downward trend, as expected, continues into 2009 and beyond. Increases in foreclosures, declining housing prices, and decreased demand place pressure on lenders, builders, and home sellers. These and other market participants are perpetuating and modifying old schemes, including property flipping, builder-bailouts, short sales, and foreclosure rescues. Additionally, they are facilitating new schemes, including reverse mortgage fraud, credit enhancements, condo conversion, loan modifications, and pump and pay in response to tighter lending practices.

Mortgage fraud trends in 2008 reflected the overall downturn in the US economy initiated by the sub-prime mortgage crisis of 2007. The US stock markets suffered their deepest losses since the 1930s; unemployment increased dramatically; the mortgage loan industry reported a spike in foreclosures and defaults; and financial markets continued to contract, diminishing credit to financial institutions, businesses, and homeowners. These combined factors uncovered and fueled a rampant mortgage fraud climate fraught with opportunistic participants desperate to maintain or increase their current standard of living. Industry employees sought to maintain the high standard of living they enjoyed during the boom years of the real estate market and overextended mortgage holders were often desperate to reduce or eliminate their bloated mortgage payments.

Mortgage fraud continues to be an escalating problem in the United States and a contributing factor to the billions of dollars in losses in the mortgage industry. Recent congressional economic stimulus legislation and the proliferation of FHA-insured mortgages are providing funding streams for perpetrators to further exploit this industry. Multiple fraud schemes are being conducted by industry professionals who are in a position to exploit the current depressed housing market. Market conditions are also fueling the use of traditional and emerging schemes which have the potential to multiply across jurisdictions as foreclosures increase, the market contracts, access to credit diminishes, and more homeowners are unable to sell or refinance their homes. Properties affected by these schemes negatively impact neighborhoods; federally insured loan programs; the mortgage, banking, and securities industries; secondary market investors; tax payers; homeowners; and the overall US economy.

Mortgage fraud provides perpetrators, including mortgage brokers, lenders, appraisers, underwriters, accountants, real estate agents, settlement attorneys, land developers, investors, builders, bank account representatives, trust account representatives, investment banks, and credit rating agencies with a criminal activity which is relatively low-risk with high-yield returns. Rising housing prices and exotic financial instruments, including teaser-rate adjustable rate mortgages, low or zero-equity loans, and sub-prime loans allow them to shift the risk to others.1 Despite increased scrutiny, many industry insiders will perpetrate fraud to maintain or increase their current standard of living. In addition to traditional industry conspirators, there have been instances involving various organized criminal groups and gang members involved in mortgage fraud activity.

Victims of mortgage fraud activity may include borrowers, mortgage industry entities, and those living in neighborhoods affected by mortgage fraud. As properties affected by mortgage fraud are sold at artificially inflated prices, properties in surrounding neighborhoods also become artificially inflated. When this happens, property taxes also artificially increase. As unqualified homeowners begin to default on their inflated mortgages, properties go into foreclosure and neighborhoods begin to deteriorate, and surrounding properties and neighborhoods witness their values depreciating. As this happens, legitimate homeowners find it difficult to sell their homes. Additionally, the decline in US home values has a direct correlation to state and local government’s ability to provide resources for schools, public safety, and other necessary public services which are funded in large part from property tax revenue.2

The schemes most directly associated with the escalating mortgage fraud problem continue to be those defined as fraud for profit. Fraud for profit schemes often employ the use of a variety of loan products in addition to a standard conventional loan, such as sub-prime loans, Alt-A loans, Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs), option-adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) loans, and Home Equity Conversion Mortgage loans. Prominent schemes include builder bail-out, short sale, foreclosure rescue, credit enhancement, loan modification, illegal property flipping, seller assistance, bust-out, debt elimination, mortgage backed securities, real estate investment, multiple loan, assignment fee, air loan, asset rental, backwards application, reverse mortgage fraud, and equity skimming. Many of these schemes employ various techniques such as the use of straw buyers, identity theft, silent seconds, quit claims, land trusts, shell companies, fraudulent loan documents (to include forged applications, settlement statements, and verification of employment, rental, occupancy, income, and deposit), double sold loans to secondary investors, leasebacks, and inflated appraisals.

Financial Institution Reporting of Mortgage Fraud Increases

Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) from financial institutions indicate an increase in mortgage fraud reporting. There were 63,713 mortgage fraud related SARs filed with FinCEN in FY 2008, a 36 percent increase from FY 2007. Preliminary statistics indicate SAR filings in FY 2009 will exceed 70,000 (see Figure 1).

SARs reported in FY 2008 revealed losses of more than $1.4 billion, an increase of 83.4 percent from FY 2007 (see Figure 2). Additionally, SAR losses reported in the first six months of FY 2009 exceed the same period in FY 2008 by $208 million.

Mortgage Fraud in a Depressed Housing Market

Decreased loan originations and an increase in buy-backs and foreclosures dominated the downward housing trend in the housing market in 2008. While the amount of mortgage fraud cannot be precisely determined, industry experts agree there is a direct correlation between fraud and distressed real estate markets. As the housing market continues to decline in response to an increase in housing inventories, lack of sales, and new foreclosures surface, real estate values will continue to soften and fraud will continue to increase.

The housing market is expected to continue this downward trend at least in the near-term until results of the efforts initiated by the authority of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 and other market factors begin to stabilize the economy. Residential property values fell from $21.5 trillion in 2007 to $19.1 trillion in 2008, a $2.4 trillion or 11.1-percent decrease.4 US home prices were at their lowest levels since May 2004 due to accelerated depreciation in 75 percent of all metropolitan markets, and housing inventory remained very high (see Figure 3 for states with the most significant decline in home prices and Figure 4 for markets with highest depreciation in home prices).5 Rapid contraction in the economy in addition to deteriorating labor markets, the large inventory of unsold homes, and increasing foreclosures and defaults suggest that home prices will continue to decline through 2009.6 According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, as of March 2009, 5.4 million American homeowners holding a mortgage, nearly 12 percent, were at least one month behind in their payment or in foreclosure at the end of 2008.

A recent trend resulting from the collapse of the sub-prime mortgage market has been the migration of originators and borrowers back to FHA-backed mortgages. FHA’s market share has increased from 3 percent in 2006 to more than 30 percent in 2009, making it an attractive market for exploitation by former sub-prime lenders.7 HUD-OIG data indicate that with the surge in these new loans, borrowers are defaulting before making a single payment (see Figure 5).8 This is attributed to the weak economy, relaxed underwriting, and fraud.

The MBA estimates that mortgage loan originations will continue to decline through 2009 while defaults continue to increase (see Figure 6).9 The MBA National Delinquency Survey (NDS) examines 85 percent of the outstanding first-lien mortgages in the market. The NDS reported 45.4 million first-lien mortgages on one- to four-unit residential properties in 2008, a 592,000 decrease from 2007. Conversely, the NDS reported a fourth quarter increase in foreclosure rates for the same period.

In addition to the significant impact from the effects of lax due diligence in sub-prime lending, Alt-As (designed for prime-quality borrowers often requiring no documentation) and Option ARMs (designed for slightly better than sub-prime borrowers) are beginning to reset and will continue to reset over the next three years. Borrowers who were teased into these products with initially low interest rates, sometimes as low as 1 percent, are witnessing a significant increase in their monthly mortgage payment and are consequently defaulting on these mortgages.

As the demand for mortgage originations have declined, so too has the sub-prime share of the mortgage market. As of the third quarter 2008, the sub-prime share of outstanding loans had decreased slightly since 2007. By contrast the FHA share of outstanding loans had increased since 2007 (see Figure 7).

The number of FHA endorsements has also increased more than 193 percent since FY 2006 (see Figure 8). Additionally, FHA reported a 239 percent increase in the total dollar amount of annual mortgage loans it insured, growing from $75.6 billion in 2007 to $256.3 billion in 2008.

Top Geographical Areas for Mortgage Fraud

Data from law enforcement and industry sources were compared and mapped to determine which areas of the country were most affected by mortgage fraud during 2008. This was accomplished by compiling the state rankings by each data source, collating by state and then mapping the information. The call-out boxes within the map (see Figure 9) depict the originating source with its ranking.

Information from the FBI, HUD-OIG, FinCEN, MARI, Fannie Mae, RealtyTrac, Inc., MBA, Interthinx, and Radian Guaranty, Inc., indicate that the top mortgage fraud states for 2008 were California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Arizona, Texas, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Colorado, Nevada, Minnesota, Rhode Island, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia (see Figure 9).

The states of California and Florida were identified by all eight of the aforementioned data sources as having a mortgage fraud problem. Georgia and Illinois were identified by seven (7) data sources, Michigan (6), Arizona and Texas (5), Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio (4), Colorado and Nevada (3), Minnesota and Rhode Island (2), and the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia (1). Five contributing data sources rank California first in their top 10 lists as having the most significant mortgage fraud problem. Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia were new in 2008, replacing Utah, Indiana, Tennessee, and Connecticut from 2007.

Breakdown of Sources Used to Identify Top Mortgage Fraud Areas

Federal Bureau of Investigation

FBI mortgage fraud investigations totaled 1,644 in FY 2008, a 37 percent increase from FY 2007 and a 100 percent increase from FY 2006 (see Figure 10). Sixty-three percent (1,035) of all pending FBI mortgage fraud investigations as of FY 2008 involved dollar losses of more than $1 million.

Regional analysis of FBI pending mortgage fraud-related investigations as of FY 2008 revealed that the western region of the United States led the nation with the most pending investigations. The western region was followed by the north central, southeast, northeast, and south central regions, respectively (see Figure 11).

FBI field divisions that ranked in the top 10 for pending investigations during FY 2008 include Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, New York, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, Denver, Cleveland, and Newark, respectively (see Figure 12).

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network

According to SAR reporting, the Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Chicago, Sacramento, New York, Tampa, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Atlanta Divisions, respectively were the top 10 FBI field offices impacted by mortgage fraud during FY 2008 (see Figure 13).

US Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General

In FY 2008, HUD-OIG had 451 pending single family (SF) residential loan investigations, a slight decrease from the 466 pending during FY 2007. With the increase in FHA originations, HUD anticipates an increase in FHA-related fraud claims in the next few years.

HUD-OIG’s top 10 mortgage fraud states based on pending investigations opened during FY 2008 include California, Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Colorado, Maryland, Florida, Missouri, and New York (see Figure 14).

Mortgage Asset Research Institute

During 2008, Rhode Island, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, Maryland, New York, Michigan, California, Missouri, and Colorado were MARI’s top 10 states for reports of mortgage fraud across all single family loan types (see Figure 15). New states added to MARI’s top 10 for 2008 included Rhode Island, Maryland, Missouri, and Colorado, replacing the states Nevada, Utah, Virginia, and Minnesota, which were included in 2007.

It is important to note that Rhode Island has, as Florida did in 2007, more than three times the expected amount of reported mortgage fraud for its origination volume. Also, Rhode Island has one of the highest percentages of fraud in appraisal/valuation misrepresentations. According to MARI, this may be attributed to retroactive reporting from this state due to lag time in foreclosure investigations and subsequent reporting to MARI. According to MARI, the decrease in fraud reported for the states of Nevada, Utah, California, and Michigan may be attributed to the lack of sub-prime mortgage investors for those areas. Application misrepresentation was the most reported form of fraud (61 percent of all fraud incidents reported by subscribers in 2008) to the MIDEX database for the last five years.

The top 10 states for possible fraudulent activity based on 2008 loan application submissions to Interthinx® were Nevada, Michigan, Ohio, Maryland, Florida, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, California, and New Jersey, respectively (see Figure 16).

Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae)

Loans originated in 2007 through 2008 and reviewed by Fannie Mae through December 2008 were used to formulate a geographic top 10 list by state for concentrated mortgage loan misrepresentations. Fannie Mae’s top 10 mortgage fraud states based on significant misrepresentations discovered by the loan review process through the end of December 2008 included California, Florida, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, Texas, Minnesota, Illinois, Virginia, and Missouri (see Figure 17).

Delinquency, Default, and Foreclosure: Results of Fraud

According to the MBA’s National Delinquency Survey, total prime, sub-prime, and FHA loans past due continue to increase.23 Delinquency data indicates that Nevada, Florida, Arizona, and Mississippi have the highest delinquency rates in the United States. The fourth-quarter 2008 delinquency rates indicate that Mississippi (13.1 percent), Nevada (11.1 percent), and Florida (11 percent) had the highest overall delinquency rates. Based on foreclosure inventory, the states with the highest rates were Florida (9 percent), Nevada (6.6 percent), and Arizona (4.6 percent). Based on foreclosure starts, the states with the highest rates were Nevada (2.7 percent), Florida (2.36 percent), and Arizona (2 percent).

Radian Guaranty, Inc. data indicated that Florida, California, Nevada, Rhode Island, Arizona, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Illinois, New Jersey, and Maryland, respectively, were the top 10 states for the percentage of early payment defaults (EPDs) as of 31 December 2008 (see Figure 18).

According to RealtyTrac, Inc., during 2008, there were more than 3.1 million foreclosure filings reported on approximately 2.3 million properties nationwide, an 81 percent increase in total properties from 2007 and a 225 percent increase in total properties from 2006. One in 54 US housing units, or 1.84 percent, were in some stage of foreclosure, including default notices, auction sale notices, and bank repossessions, more than double the units (up 1 percent) from 2007. Properties in some stage of foreclosure for 2008 surpassed 2007 and 2006 filings (see Figure 19).

The top 10 states for percent of households in some stage of foreclosure during 2008 were Nevada (7.29 percent), Florida (4.52 percent), Arizona (4.49 percent), California (3.97 percent), Colorado (2.41 percent), Michigan (2.35 percent), Ohio (2.25 percent), Georgia (2.20 percent), Illinois (1.91 percent), and New Jersey (1.80 percent) (see Figure 20).

Further expansion of this data by US metropolitan foreclosure markets reveals the top 10 markets by foreclosure rate and the top 10 markets by percent change from 2007 to 2008 (see Figures 21 and 22).

Figure 21: Top 10 US Metropolitan Foreclosure Markets by Foreclosure Rate, 2008

Figure 22: Top 10 US Metropolitan Foreclosure Markets by Percent Change, 2007-2008

Geographic Areas Identified for Further Consideration

Analysis of RealtyTrac, MBA, and Interthinx data identified significant increases in foreclosure rate and fraud-related activity for more than 50 percent of all states from 2007 to 2008 (see Appendix C for a breakdown of this data).

Emerging Schemes

Industry experts concur that there is a strong correlation between increased fraud and distressed real estate markets. The 2008 current housing market, suffering from an increase in inventory, lack of sales, and a high foreclosure rate, provided an attractive environment for mortgage fraud perpetrators who discovered methods to circumvent loopholes and gaps in the mortgage lending market. Lenders, builders, sellers, borrowers, and other market participants employed and modified old schemes such as property flipping, builder-bailouts, seller assistance, short sales, air loans, foreclosure rescues, and identity theft (see 2007 FBI Annual Mortgage Fraud Report); and adopted new schemes, including reverse mortgage fraud, credit enhancements, condo conversion, loan modifications, pump and pay-each of which are surfaced in response to tighter lending practices. Emerging fraud trends are draining lender, law enforcement, regulatory, and consumer resources.

Reverse Mortgage Fraud Schemes

Unscrupulous loan officers, mortgage companies, investors, loan counselors, appraisers, builders, developers, and real estate agents are exploiting Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs)-also known as reverse mortgages-to defraud senior citizens. They recruit seniors through local churches, investment seminars, television, radio, billboard, and mailer advertisements, to commit the fraud primarily through equity theft, foreclosure rescue, and investment schemes. Equity theft schemes are the most common method used by mortgage fraud perpetrators to exploit HECMs. Perpetrators, often with the aid of straw buyers, execute a scheme designed to withdraw false equity from properties. They typically identify foreclosed, distressed, or abandoned properties (or buyers) using information contained within county deed records. Perpetrators purchase the properties using straw buyers who commit occupancy fraud by fraudulently stating they will be using them as their primary residence. They recruit seniors to “purchase” the properties from the straw buyers. This is generally accomplished by the perpetrator transferring the deed to the property to the senior with no exchange of money. After the senior is living in the home for at least 60 days, the perpetrators arrange for the seniors to obtain HECMs, with the aid of a fraudulently inflated appraisal, and encourage the seniors to request a lump sum disbursement of the equity. The perpetrators, often in collusion with the settlement attorney, abscond with all of the equity at closing. They facilitate appraisal fraud by arranging for minor cosmetic repairs, or falsely documenting repairs, that were never performed to inflate the appraisal. They also fraudulently create fictitious loans and liens that enable them to distribute the loan proceeds to themselves, the straw buyer, and others at closing. As more members of the “baby boomer” generation turn 65, their vast and expanding real estate holdings make reverse mortgage fraud an increasingly attractive scam for perpetrators.

Credit Enhancement Schemes

Credit enhancement schemes may take various forms. In the most basic scheme, a loan officer and home builders are taking measures to encourage borrowers to have their names added to the bank accounts of friends or family members temporarily to circumvent the underwriting process to show that they have sufficient deposits on hand. Additionally, some originators and homebuilders are depositing money into the accounts of loan applicants who are in the process of trying to qualify for a mortgage to be used as an asset. Once the underwriting process qualifies the loan and it closes, the builder withdraws the money and uses it for the next potential borrower. According to Fannie Mae, perpetrators are also filing amended tax returns and paying “back taxes” on unreported income for previous years to aid in the verification of income process for a new loan application.

Perpetrators are also using credit enhancement schemes to circumvent tightened lending practices established by Fair Isaac Credit Organization (FICO) 08. The schemes include purchasing credit privacy numbers (CPNs) and seasoned trade-line accounts, creating fraudulent retailer financial relationships, and staging credit-washing schemes with the intent to strengthen a perpetrator’s credit history and ability to apply for new loans. These schemes are facilitating both mortgage fraud activity and illicit credit representation practices.

Builder-Bailout Schemes – Modified

Builder-bailout schemes continue to be problematic in the current distressed market in which builder inventory is increasing while demand is decreasing (see Appendix A for an explanation of a builder-bailout scheme). These schemes typically consist of builders offering excessive incentives to buyers, which are not disclosed on the mortgage loan documents. Recent modifications to this scheme involve condominium-conversion, and “pump and pay” schemes (see below).

Builder-Bailout – Condominium Conversion

Individuals are participating in builder-bailout and property flipping schemes using apartment complexes that were converted into condominium developments. During the housing boom, many apartment complexes were purchased by developers and contractors and converted into condominiums. When the housing market began to decline, developers had excess inventory of units that they could not sell. They began to offer incentives such as cash-back at closing and paid condominium association dues to encourage investors to purchase units within the newly established developments. Since the buyers purchased the condos as investment properties, they were not owner-occupied. The developers and contractors claimed that they would find people to rent the condos, would oversee the management of the complex, and would collect rent from the tenants. These schemes often target investors interested in low to no-risk investment properties. Perpetrators of these schemes typically inflate the value of the condominium to obtain a larger sales price to offset the cost of the incentives.

Builder-Bailout – Pump and Pay

Builders in Florida, North Carolina, California, Texas, and various other locations throughout the United States are working with co-conspirators to inflate the appraised value of their properties. This false equity is distributed to the perpetrators and disguised as set-asides for future maintenance, insurances, and tax payments on the property.

Foreclosure Rescue Schemes

Foreclosure rescue schemes continue to be problematic, especially in the current distressed market in which more than 2.3 million properties were in foreclosure in 2008 (see Appendix A for an explanation of a foreclosure rescue scheme). These schemes typically consist of perpetrators soliciting homeowners in foreclosure and offering to “rescue” them from losing their home for a fee. Recent modifications to this scheme involve arson/insurance fraud, bankruptcy schemes, and loan modification program schemes (see below).

Foreclosure Rescue – Arson

Homeowners, property flippers, and investors are committing arson to avoid real estate foreclosure. The insurance policy holder files a false insurance claim following the arson to extract illicit proceeds from the property to avoid foreclosure.

Foreclosure Rescue – Bankruptcy

Perpetrators are exploiting US Bankruptcy courts to defraud homeowners who are facing foreclosure. They are targeting distressed homeowners through Internet advertisements, newspapers, flyers, and through publicly available county foreclosure notices. They offer to provide the homeowner with assistance designed to prevent them from losing their home. They charge the homeowner an up-front fee, typically ranging from $200 to $1,000. In many instances, the perpetrators convince the homeowner to continue to make their monthly mortgage payment, but to direct the payment to the perpetrator. They also misguide the homeowner to cease any communication with the lender. The perpetrators direct the homeowner to complete the necessary paperwork which includes signing a bankruptcy petition. The perpetrator subsequently files the bankruptcy petition in the homeowner’s name with either the signed petition or a forged petition.

The bankruptcy petition invokes the automatic stay, resulting in the imminent foreclosure being postponed, and the homeowner stops receiving collection calls and letters. Frequently, homeowners are unaware of the bankruptcy petition and believe that the perpetrators have fulfilled their obligation to prevent them from losing their home. The perpetrators further misinform the homeowners to ignore any court notices to appear at the bankruptcy hearing. However, when no one appears at the bankruptcy hearing, the foreclosure process begins again.

In a variation of this scheme, the perpetrators convince the homeowner to “quit-claim” the property to the perpetrator or to sell the property for a nominal fee, usually $1. The perpetrators charge the homeowner rent until the mortgage problems are resolved. After which, the homeowner is able to repurchase the property or share the profits if the perpetrator sells the property. In some property transfers, the homeowner is instructed to transfer only a fractional interest in the property to the perpetrator who then transfers that interest to another individual or entity (often fictitious). Often, the fractional interest is transferred numerous times as the automatic stays are lifted, which delays foreclosure for months and generates additional proceeds for the perpetrators. According to the Executive Office of US Trustees, one residential property was linked to 24 different bankruptcy cases.

Foreclosure Rescue – Loan Modification Program Schemes

Loan modification schemes, typically in the form or an advance-fee/foreclosure rescue scheme, are emerging as recent vulnerabilities in HERA and EESA legislation (see second text box) becomes apparent. Lenders are mandated by recent legislation to work with homeowners to assist them in keeping their homes out of foreclosure; however, individuals are perpetrating advance-fee schemes to generate income from victim homeowners. Perpetrators solicit homeowners with mail flyers offering to help them stop the foreclosure process on their homes. Homeowners are falsely told that their mortgages would be renegotiated, their monthly payments would be reduced, and delinquent loan amounts would be renegotiated to the principle. Perpetrators require an up-front fee ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 from homeowners to participate in the loan-modification program. Perpetrators often request that the victim homeowners stop payments and communication with their lender. When victims receive delinquency and foreclosure notices, the perpetrators convince them that the loan was renegotiated, but that the lender needs a good faith payment to secure the new account.

Serial Property Flipping

Illegal property flipping continues to be a significant scam identified by both industry and law enforcement agencies. Perpetrators are taking advantage of the distressed housing market and repeatedly flipping the same property numerous times.

Short Sale Schemes – Modified

Short sale fraud schemes continue to be used in combination with foreclosure rescue schemes in an effort to victimize homeowners and financial institutions (see Appendix A for an explanation of a short sale scheme). Perpetrators across the country are recruiting real estate agents and paying them referral fees for locating and soliciting homeowners undergoing foreclosure. Homeowners are entering into agreements with perpetrators deeding their property to them in the form of a land trust. The homeowner is listed as the beneficiary of the trust and the real estate agent is listed as the trustor. The perpetrators then negotiate a short sale with the lender. After the short sale, the real estate agent sells the property for a profit to another previously identified buyer, but the lender and the homeowner do not know this. In effect, the perpetrator sells the property for less than the mortgage and re-sells the property, often the next day, for a profit.

FBI Response

As mortgage fraud crimes escalate, the burden on federal law enforcement increases. With the anticipated continued upsurge in mortgage fraud cases, the FBI has created the National Mortgage Fraud Team (NMFT); fostered new and existing liaison partnerships within the mortgage industry and law enforcement; and developed new and innovative methods to detect and combat mortgage fraud.

In December 2008, the FBI established the NMFT to assist field offices in addressing the financial crisis, from the mortgage fraud problem and loan origination scams to the secondary markets and securitization. The NMFT provides tools to identify the most egregious mortgage fraud perpetrators, prioritizes investigative efforts, and provides information to evaluate resource needs.

The FBI continues to support 18 mortgage fraud task forces and 53 working groups; and participates in the National Mortgage Fraud and National Bank Fraud Working Groups, the National Securities and Commodities Fraud Working Group, and the President’s Corporate Fraud Task Force to maximize intelligence sharing between stakeholder agencies and coordinate multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional mortgage fraud initiatives. Task forces and working groups include, but are not limited to, representatives of the HUD-OIG, the US Postal Inspection Service, the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, the IRS, FinCEN, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and other federal, state, and local law enforcement officers across the country. Additionally, representatives of the Office of Comptroller of the Currency, the Office of Thrift Supervision, the Executive Office of US Trustees, the Federal Trade Commission and others participate in national and ad-hoc working groups.

The FBI continues to foster relationships with representatives of the mortgage industry to promote mortgage fraud awareness and share intelligence information. FBI personnel routinely speak at and participate in various mortgage industry conferences and seminars, including those sponsored by the MBA. Collaborative efforts are ongoing to educate and raise public awareness of mortgage fraud crimes with the publication of the annual Mortgage Fraud Report; the Financial Crimes Report to the Public; press releases; and through the dissemination of information with and between various industry and consumer organizations. Analytical products are routinely disseminated to a wide audience to include public and private sector industry partners, the intelligence community, and other federal, state, and local law enforcement.

The FBI continues to employ sophisticated investigative techniques, such as undercover operations and wiretaps, which result in the collection of valuable evidence and provide an opportunity to apprehend criminals in the commission of their crimes. This ultimately reduces the losses to individuals and financial institutions. The FBI has also established several intelligence initiatives to support mortgage fraud investigations and has improved law enforcement and industry relationships. The FBI has established methodology to proactively identify potential mortgage fraud targets using tactical analysis coupled with advanced statistical correlations and computer technologies.

The depressed economy witnessed during 2008 is generally expected to persist at least through the end of 2009 and possibly longer, continuing to provide a favorable environment for expanded mortgage fraud activity. Industry personnel will feel pressure to find alternative methods to match the income they enjoyed during the real estate boom years. Many will be willing to conduct criminal activities to achieve this goal. Increasing numbers of individuals will be willing to consider and participate in illicit deals to avoid foreclosure.

Perpetrators may focus their fraud efforts against new targets that have been created as the result of actions to combat the mortgage fraud crisis. Persons looking to purchase foreclosed properties on the market may be potential victims of additional scams. Perpetrators may find methods to exploit funds earmarked for the mortgage industry from the various legislative acts aimed at addressing the mortgage and financial industry crisis and stimulate the economy. As loan originators and borrowers increase their use of FHA-backed mortgages, following the collapse of the sub-prime mortgage market, perpetrators are likely to follow this money trail as well.

Appendix A

Select Schemes Defined

Builder-Bailout Schemes: Builders are employing builder-bailout schemes to offset losses, and circumvent excessive debt and potential bankruptcy, as home sales suffer from escalating foreclosures, rising inventory, and declining demand. Builder-bailout schemes are common in any distressed real estate market and typically consist of builders offering excessive incentives to buyers, which are not disclosed on the mortgage loan documents. Builder-bailout schemes often occur when a builder or developer experiences difficulty selling their inventory and uses fraudulent means to unload it. In a common scenario, the builder has difficulty selling property and offers an incentive of a mortgage with no down payment. For example, a builder wishes to sell a property for $200,000. He inflates the value of the property to $240,000 and finds a buyer. The lender funds a mortgage loan of $200,000 believing that $40,000 was paid to the builder, thus creating home equity. However, the lender is actually funding 100 percent of the home’s value. The builder acquires $200,000 from the sale of the home, pays off his building costs, forgives the buyer’s $40,000 down payment, and keeps any profits. If the home forecloses, the lender has no equity in the home and must pay foreclosure expenses.

Short-Sale Schemes: Short-sale schemes are desirable to mortgage fraud perpetrators because they do not have to competitively bid on the properties they purchase, as they do for foreclosure sales. Perpetrators also use short sales to recycle properties for future mortgage fraud schemes. Short-sale fraud schemes are difficult to detect since the lender agrees to the transaction, and the incident is not reported to internal bank investigators or the authorities. As such, the extent of short sale fraud nationwide is unknown. A real estate short sale is a type of pre-foreclosure sale in which the lender agrees to sell a property for less than the mortgage owed. In a typical short sale scheme, the perpetrator uses a straw buyer to purchase a home for the purpose of defaulting on the mortgage. The mortgage is secured with fraudulent documentation and information regarding the straw buyer. Payments are not made on the property loan causing the mortgage to default. Prior to the foreclosure sale, the perpetrator offers to purchase the property from the lender in a short-sale agreement. The lender agrees without knowing that the short sale was premeditated. The mortgage owed on the property often equals or exceeds 100 percent of the property’s equity.

Foreclosure Rescue Schemes: Foreclosure rescue schemes are often used in association with advance fee/loan modification program schemes. The perpetrators convince homeowners that they can save their homes from foreclosure through deed transfers and the payment of up-front fees. This “foreclosure rescue” often involves a manipulated deed process that results in the preparation of forged deeds. In extreme instances, perpetrators may sell the home or secure a second loan without the homeowners’ knowledge, stripping the property’s equity for personal enrichment.

Appendix B

FinCEN: Established by the US Treasury Department, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s mission is to enhance US national security, deter and detect criminal activity, and safeguard financial systems from abuse by promoting transparency in the US and International financial systems. In accordance with the Bank Secrecy Act, Suspicious Activity Reports, filed by various financial entities, are collected and managed by FinCEN and used in this report.

US Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General: HUD-OIG is charged with detecting and preventing waste, fraud, and abuse in relation to various HUD programs, such as single and multi-family housing. As part of this mission, HUD-OIG investigates mortgage fraud related waste, fraud, and abuse of HUD programs and operations.

Mortgage Asset Research Institute: MARI maintains the Mortgage Industry Data Exchange (MIDEX) data base which contains information submitted by major mortgage lenders, agencies and insurers describing incidents of alleged fraud and material misrepresentations. Also, MARI releases a report to the mortgage industry highlighting the geographical distribution of mortgage fraud based on these submissions, and subsequently ranks the states based on the MARI fraud Index (MFI) which also incorporates Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data provided by the MBA which is a key component of calculating a state’s MFI value. The MFI is an indication of the amount of mortgage fraud discovered through MIDEX subscriber fraud investigations in various geographical areas within a particular year relative to the amount of loans originated.41

Interthinx®: Interthinx® is a provider of proven risk mitigation and regulatory compliance tools for the financial services industry. Data from Interthinx® fraud detection tools (DISSCO and FraudGUARD®) include nearly two million loan applications from more than 2,000 mortgage originators and loan purchasers nationally. Loans are flagged for possible fraudulent activity and scored as “Investigate” or “Critical Risk” if they demonstrate high impact variances in employment/income, identity, occupancy, straw-buyer, property valuation, or property flipping. More than 24 percent of loans submitted to Interthinx® mortgage fraud detection tools during 2008 had at least one high impact variance in one of these categories.

Fannie Mae: Fannie Mae is the nation’s largest mortgage investor. To aid in mortgage fraud prevention and detection, the company publishes a mortgage fraud newsletter that includes information concerning misrepresentations discovered in loan files.

Radian Guaranty, Inc.: Radian Guaranty, Inc. (Radian) is a leading provider of mortgage insurance which provides coverage that protects lenders against borrower loan default.

RealtyTrac: RealtyTrac is the leading real estate marketplace for foreclosure properties and publishes the country’s largest most comprehensive foreclosure database, with more than 1.5 million default, auction, and bank-owned homes from across the country covering 90 percent of all US households.

Mortgage Bankers Association: The Mortgage Bankers Association is the national association representing the real estate finance industry. The MBA is a good source of information for regulatory, legislative, market, and industry data.

Appendix C

Geographic Areas Identified for Further Consideration Based on Data Provided by Interthinx, MBA, and RealtyTrac, 2007 to 2008

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Allison Tussey

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One response to FBI Issues 2008 Mortgage Fraud Report

  1. I started reading these FBI reports a few years ago and remember from about 2004 to 2006 they warned that mortgage fraud could severely damage the economy. The FBI also reported that 80% of the mortgage fraud was done by the industry itself. It’s outrageous that nothing was done when there was still time to prevent the economic problems we have now. And even more outrageous that the very industries that created a housing bubble and perpetrated these scams are holding out their hands for govt money, saying they are ‘victims of the economy.’

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Friday, December 25, 2009

Dancing is the thread

I've always been a dancer of some sort or another. I was enamored with "Tina the Ballerina" and "The Nutcracker" as a little girl, and spent quite a bit of time doing pirouettes around the house. As I grew older, I became interested in Israeli folk dancing. I was a member of our Temple's youth Israeli folk dance group for several years during high school, which meant multiple rehearsals per week, practicing in bare feet on egg salad and tuna fish (left over from Saturday morning kiddush) and taking part in a dance competition and also a regional performance.

Twelve years later, I was back in Boston, and I found Israeli folk dancing again (or it found me). This time, I started dating a man, was introduced to a whole new group of people who became good friends, and spent several years dancing two or three times a week. I was even part of a performing group for several years.

Fast forward a few years, I was still dancing, and I met my husband, A. He wasn't an Israeli dancer, although he enjoying coming to dancing with me and socializing. Ultimately, we did an Israeli dance as the first dance at our wedding.

So... last night, at the annual (Christmas Eve) Israeli Dance Marathon (6 pm - 4 am, and no I didn't stay there the whole time), I saw my life pass before my eyes. There was the man I dated when I did Israeli dancing in high school; there was the man I dated when I did Israeli dancing in my late 20s; there was the man (well, my husband) who I married. It was kind of surreal.

And dancing is the thread that holds it all together...

Thursday, December 24, 2009

J and I were standing at the JCC today, watching some older teens and men play a pick-up game of basketball. They were playing "shirts vs. skins," so half the men had removed their shirts. Most of them had pretty typical male chest hair, although of course some of them were hairier than others.

Jordan was commenting about their body hair. He really didn't like it.

I pondered this for a while, and realized that his obsession with professional wrestling has given him the false impression that adult men have little or no body hair. I'm pretty sure that the wrestlers shave their entire bodies, and oil them, too. Here's an example of what they look like: John Cena, who is J's favorite and a "good guy," and Randy Orton, who is a "bad guy." The point is: J is getting a really distorted view of what adult men look like. Hairless, very muscular. Tend to jump on each other, and hit each other with tables.

I've been patiently waiting for J's obsession to wear off, and I think it is, somewhat. But this aspect of it is somewhat surprising. I've heard of girls getting the wrong idea from airbrushed images from magazines, but I never expected to have this sort of issue with a son. Silly me.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

A year ago

It all started exactly a year ago, December 19, 2008. I went to my doctor for my bi-annual breast check. We were laughing and chatting. Then she felt the lump.

I didn't believe it at first. It just felt, well, lumpy, and not unlike other things I'd felt before. I even went back to have her check a few days later. No, it was really there. She wanted me to have it checked out.

I tried very hard not to be concerned about it for several weeks, until my imaging appointment. Then on January 2, I had a mammogram and an ultrasound at the BIDMC downtown. They were definitely concerned. Funny, the doctor wouldn't say it, but the ultrasound tech did: it looked like cancer. But they wouldn't say for sure until the biopsy. That was the day I really knew.

That was a Friday, and I had the biopsy on the following Tuesday. The results weren't ready until noon the following Friday. Friday January 9, 2009.

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.

And the rest, as they say, is history. I had 2 surgeries in February to completely remove the lump; I spent part of March dealing with an abscess (unrelated to the cancer) and with oncology decisions; I had radiation treatment in May and June; I started hormonal treatment and a research study after that; I have monthly shots as part of the study, and I've been dealing with side effects of medications ever since. I feel like I've aged 10 years. I'm in menopause. I don't have my stamina back yet. I'm very emotional. My family feels the stress, too.

It hasn't been a great year.

I'm really hoping that 2010 is better.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Falling through the cracks

Been having some uncomfortable side effects lately from one or more of the medications I'm taking. Anyway, I did what you are supposed to do, which is to call your doctor. Well, my doctor is on maternity leave. So I called her replacement. She seemed very nice, and told me to call the appointment desk. They made an appointment for the following week. Then the nice doctor had a family emergency, and had to cancel the appointment. So I made another appointment for the following week. Then the nice doctor got the flu (today). So I made another appointment for the following week.

It has now been over 2 weeks, and I still haven't seen this doctor. My new appointment is for a week from now. I'm not feeling great, but imagine if I was really in trouble. Would a person with serious issues be able to communicate to these people that they really need to see someone NOW? I'm starting to understand how people fall through the cracks. You can do everything you are supposed to be doing, and still not get the help you need.

Okay, I'm going to try to call them again...

An idiot

Interesting discussion on the ride to school this morning. J's class is learning about the Sumerians and the Mayans. Apparently the Mayans sacrificed human beings. This led to a discussion about Abraham and the almost-sacrifice of Isaac. J pointed out that this was only a test, and that G-d wasn't really going to let Abraham sacrifice Isaac.

J: "If G-d let Abraham do that, everyone would have thought that G-d was an idiot."

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Chanukah 2009

Not feeling very ready for Chanukah this year...but here are a few links that make me smile:

The candles sing Mi Y'Malel

Orrin Hatch (?!) wrote a song about Chanukah

Hanukkah Hey Ya!

my favorite this year: Hanukkah Hey Ya! Flash Mob

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Sacred work

I read this post, The Audacity of Goodness, on several websites yesterday, and I found the video that it refers to -- Every day, good women choose abortion -- to be very moving. Take a look.

I'm afraid that my fertile years are now past, but if I needed to have an abortion in my lifetime, I only hope that I would be privileged to have had a provider as kind and considerate as this one.

Also, I love this quote that is mentioned at the end of the article:
“If one woman told the truth about her life, the world would split open.”
--Muriel Rukeyser
Very, very true.

Friday, December 04, 2009

Thinking about Chanukah

and smiling....(lyrics are below the video)

Hanukkah Hey Ya!
By Eric Schwartz (smooth-e)
© 2003

My dreidel just spins around
and then falls to the ground
as we light the candles (oy!)

I love to light menorahs
and the matzah balls are cooking on the stove (mmm!)

Flames high to light the ceiling
but the candle dripping's burning me right now (ow!)

Thank god for mom and dad
for teaching jewish culture
'cause we are so proud (l'chaim)

Those fluffy latkes,
oh those fluffy latkes
they're hot i want to eat 'em 'till there's nothing at all

We get the presents, oh we get the presents
and eight is always better than three from santa claus

And what they say is "we're the chosen people"
then what makes, what makes, what makes, what makes
us the exception?

Don't know why, know why
o-y, o-y, o-y (oy!)
Run and call your rabbi so that you can celebrate this year
oy is just yo backwards

Hanukkah (why don't you meet my rabbi)
Hanukkah (he isn't such a bad guy)
Hanukkah (it wouldn't be a bummer)
Hanukkah (if you want to wear yarmulke)

Manischewitz, schewitz, schewitz, schewitz, schewitz, schewitz, schewitz and a kosherized pickle
Maniscewitz, schewitz, schewitz, schewitz, schewitz, schewitz, shevitz and potato knishes
Maniscewitz, schewitz, schewitz, schewitz, schewitz, schewitz, schewitz and the kasha varnishkas
Maniscewitz, schewitz, schewitz, schewitz, schewitz, schewitz,

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2003 Harley-Davidson XLH1200

2003 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 100th Anniversary Edition

  • Year : 2003
  • Color : Black & Grey
  • Mileage : 439 Miles
  • Location : Sussex, DE, US
  • VIN : 1HD1CAP103K404178
  • Price : $ 5,250
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Hello everyone! Thank you for looking at my 2003 Harley Davidson Sportster XLH1200 100th Anniversary Edition. As the listing says- Yes, it only has 439 ORIGINAL MILES on the bike!!! I am the second owner, and I have all keys and manuals included from the original purchase. The bike is a pretty standard model, with the addition of a backrest and some chrome pipes. The reason I am selling the bike is because I wanted to make a bobber, but after reconsideration, my needs are not for a bike in this great of shape. I\'ve had the bike about three months, it was originally owned in the Annapolis, MD area by an older fellow who got ill and could no longer ride. It was kept in a garage, not outside. I am asking $5250 O.B.O. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. My name is Chris and I can be reached at (443) 739-8038. Thanks for looking!

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2010 Triumph Street Triple

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The midsize pickup truck segment shows no signs of slowing down. For proof, look no further than the Toyota Tacoma, a truck so popular it has forced the automaker to invest and expand its plant in Tijuana, Mexico. According to Reuters, Toyota is spending $150 million USD at the plant, with the goal of increasing production to 160,000 units annually…
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Of Jaguars, Penguins and Oversteer: The 2017 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb

A behind-the-wheel look at South Africa's coolest hillclimb competition

A behind-the-wheel look at South Africa's coolest hillclimb competition

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Ever been to The Other Down Under—South Cape, South Africa? Sounds pretty far, oh, south, doesn’t it? Well, it’s not. I always thought it went almost to Antarctica, like Tierra del Fuego. (That’d be South America, kids). Here’s a geography lesson: Cape Town is only about as far south of the equator as Washington D.C. is north.

And everything is upside down there. It gets colder the farther south you go. Toilets flush clockwise (barely). Highways are Keep Left. And even though we’re a long, long way from Antarctica—it’s 70 degrees in a stiff breeze at this sunny beach on the South Cape—penguins are chilling out on the sand. Never dreamed I’d see one live in the wild.

Recently, I got a call from racer Kai Goddard and Inde Motorsports Ranch in Tucson, Arizona.  Seems his dad is Geoff Goddard, a road racing legend in South Africa, and they offered the honor of an invitation to compete at a wonderful motorsport gathering here: the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb. The circuit winds its way up to the tony Simola Golf and Country Estate, situated on a bluff overlooking the magnificent Knysna Heads—a towering, rocky, narrow passage suitable for Homer’s Odyssey that then leads into a wide harbor so peaceful that sailors dubbed it the Featherbed.

The whole South Cape suggests to me what Southern California might have been like before it was beset by sprawl. It’s arid, crossed by mountain ranges, bordered by the sea, and lightly populated by SoCal standards. Great driving roads take off in all directions—many of the best being unpaved and SUV-worthy, appropriate for the F-Pace S I was given for transportation. We visited an old racing buddy who’d been extolling the virtues of the South Cape for years then drove the six hours from Cape Town to Knysna on what they call the Garden Route. Main artery: two lanes. That’s it. At least there were shoulders that everyone generously used to ease over so faster cars could pass—a lost art in the U.S. South Cape Africans actually watch their mirrors and help you get by. Imagine that.

Or maybe they did it because of the imposing F-Pace S lurking on their backsides. Unlike in America, high-dollar cars are a rarity, and people take notice. At 380 hp, it had the guts to make quick work of most traffic, save one aged Honda Accord showing very impressive “pace” up the winding Sir Lowry’s Pass leading back into Cape Town, perhaps inspired by our Firenze Red Jag. The driving spirit lives down here, too, folks.

That same spirit emanated strongly from the crowd at the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb. It started with Classic Car Friday, with a surprising collection of vintage cars attacking the hill, from a perfect reproduction of a Bugatti Type 35b Grand Prix to a Chevron B19 much like the sports racer with which we won the Classic 12 Hours of Sebring last winter. Other South African gems included a rare Ford Sierra XR8 (a Merkur for you oddball American car fans), an MGB GT V8, and my first-ever exposure to the delightful 1974 Triumph Chicane.

I had the pleasure of whipping the flanks of a vintage Jaguar XJS V12 and gained great status from the generous owner when I correctly identified it as an HE model from 1983. What’s more, this Jag was a rare manual-transmission model, and my only complaints while flogging the willing old girl up the hill was the complete lack of front shock damping (ancient Monroes, we checked) and that it was too bloody quiet! Its V-12 howl was glorious but much too subdued. Oh, and shifting with the left hand felt awkward, as did getting into the “driver’s” door more than once to discover once again that the steering was on the (wrong) right side.

Classic Car Friday made a terrific warmup for the big event, known as the King of the Hill, which offered more impressive machinery from a wide range of motorsports. Nissan GT-Rs everywhere at the front, the lead 1,000-hp cars so vicious that they seemed to move the earth back from under them rather than propel the chassis forward. There’s a standing start, in front of the main grandstand and hospitality suites, and a kind of burnout box just before it for tire warming and playing the crowd. The big dogs all had racing electric blankets pre-baking their rubber, too, but the whole start spectacle was very much like an American drag race scene. This was a piece of public road, though, not a manicured surface so sticky it will suck the sneakers from your feet. Traction and the launch were critical.

Many cars, such as the 2017 F-Type SVR Coupe that I was blessed to use for my KOTH run, benefited from all-wheel drive. After a day in the sprightly 295-hp, two-wheel-drive XJS, the first launch in its 575-hp, all-wheel-drive progeny felt more like an explosion, the Leaping Cat doing great justice to the chromed feline adorning the hoods of earlier Jaguars. I banged my helmet off the quilted performance headrest … and loved it, of course. And with the QuickShift automatic, all-wheel drive, and twin-vortex supercharger, the launches were eeeeasy. I’d love to compare its 50-foot acceleration times to those of the 1,000-horsepower monsters ’cause I’d bet the premium-stereoed, climate-controlled F-Type SVR is better.

A fairly straight run carried us to the top of third gear into a sweeper right that turned uphill on exit and was my favorite corner as a result. The incline acts like banking and makes the Jag stick. With 516 lb-ft of widespread torque, it sure feels like even more and uses every bit of that all-wheel drive Intelligent Driveline Dynamics and Electronic Active Differential to get power groundward.

It’s claimed to retain the sporty agility and steering feel of a rear-drive car, and I have to agree. After the neck-snapping zero-wheelspin start, I don’t feel I’m in an AWD car. There is, in fact, a bit of power oversteer, encouraged by Jaguar sending 63 percent of power rearward and only 37 percent to the front. Reminds me of that Pink Floyd lyric, “Forward he cried, from the rear …” but with much better results. Old-school four-wheel drives were always plagued with power understeer, but now technology and the manufacturers’ engineers are finally relieving the former sacrifice of handling balance for traction under acceleration.

And someone in the handling department at Jaguar clearly likes oversteer. Every Jaguar I’ve driven since the happy day I was first invited to a Motor Trend track test has been strikingly easy to power oversteer save one, the extremely limited-production XKR-S GT. What the AWD system does for the F-Type is tame the powerslides. The F-Type SVR was in our Best Driver’s Car test last summer, so I searched Motor Trend online to recall what I said. Turns out I loved it! I raved about its balance, and what a step forward beyond the normal F-Types it was. It paid off at Simola.

My average speed was 93 mph. Even though the run to the resort was short, it was fast, and we got nine runs to figure it out. After Turn 1 there’s a long, steep incline, where the Jag gets all the way to fifth, then it’s fourth and fifth through sweeping esses all the way to the finish line. It then crossed in fifth gear again, in a sweet power drift! I got my adrenaline fix, let me tell you.

This Jaguar features Adaptive Dynamics that “instinctively modify the car’s response to conditions and your driving style.” I have to laugh because I bet that computer had a rough time going from 100-mph sweepers flat on the floor on the way up to idling back down through the Simola Estates and Jack Nicklaus golf course at 35 mph. I did not notice any ill effects, I must say. I even came across a baboon family on the way down on day one. (Cute but nasty creatures. Stay away.)

What helped me the most was my discovery of the Sport mode in the stability controls. There was enough 100-mph tail play that I looked over the drop-offs and decided to leave the controls on, which I almost never do when testing for Motor Trend. This winding road was no racetrack—it was narrow and slippery. But when I switched to the in-between mode (you need to know your mode buttons for sure), I was very impressed. Loved it, in fact. The controls, if any activated at all, were not noticeable, and my times came down a lot. Power was not restricted as far as I could tell, and guess what? We won our class, by a smidge over another F-Type SVR and ahead of quite a few real race cars, with our unmodified luxury sporting street machine.

I look forward to returning to the competition next year, and I hope to see you there.

Editor’s note: Just a couple weeks after the completion of the Simola Hillclimb, a series of wildfires swept through the Southern Cape of South Africa, taking the lives of seven people, forcing the evacuation of thousands more, and affecting nearly 500 homes in nearby Knysna. Those wanting to donate disaster relief aid to the area can contact http://www.giftofthegivers.org/.

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Kawasaki Bajaj Eliminator Reviews

Dec 10, 2016 12:53 PM Read

The average mileage is about 34kmpl after 5 years of use which is not good for a common man in india, The comfort is not good if we look to it as a daily bike, It's long size makes it's uncomfortable for city rides as well the seat is very hard and suspension on the stiffer side, No it's not rel...Read More

Feel like god

Aug 19, 2015 12:51 AM Read

First of all this review applies only to the Japanese made Kawasaki Eliminator 180 which was sold in India by Bajaj. The Indian made Bajaj Avenger is not the same bike. Eliminator is way way ahead of Avenger in all aspects. I have a special relation with my Eliminator. We've been through s...Read More

Nothing is better !

Jun 17, 2012 10:04 AM Read

When you own a bike for more than just a means of transport there is no bike better than the Kawasaki Bajaj Eliminator available. And it does not does get this stature because of the compulsion, its actually a great bike. The chrome looks great, build feels great, its powerful , handles wonde...Read More

Thousands of users are looking for advice right now

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Stunning bike

Jun 08, 2012 11:30 AM Read

I've purchased the bike when it was launched in 2001 for 96, 000 till now haven't experienced any problem with bike except for the normal wear and tear. Till now, in 2012, its running strong. Avenger sucks. Spares are available and cosmetic spares of avenger can be easily fitted on avenger, W...Read More

One way gerari for self starter

Dec 12, 2011 05:56 AM Read

I lived in Agra (U.P.) nd I have kawasaki Eliminator for last 7 yrs and there's no service centre of kawasaki, but at present I'm suffering from a great problem. I show my bike to a mechanic for "self starter" coz at present ma bike's self is not working any more, the mechanic told me that thr i...Read More

In the present day, motorbikes are not a means of necessity but a luxury or just plain ol' way of convenience. The enthrallment of buying your first set of gears can definitely be head spinning. You may be one of them who wants to swing leg over, turn that accelerator and feel the breeze of freedom flowing through your hair locks. But just hold your metal horses, before you spend your money on machine, here are few critical issues that you need to resolve.

Jul 18, 2011 12:15 PM Read

Guys dont buy eliminator bike bcoz the parts are not available anywhere I am the 1 st one who buy this bike first in india in 2001 when in saathiya movie came vivek has in purple colour . So first think then buy (haati ko paalnaa aasan nahi). Remember it.

Class 1 bike

Oct 03, 2008 01:45 PM Read

I shall suggest u to buy the second hand elimator than buying a new avenger. It makes a lot of difference. I bet no other bike is such good as kawarsaki eliminator the most wonderful bike its like say for Comfort - best Performance- best Speed- best Control- best Look- best In ...Read More

Finally decided to Disown this Darling

Jun 26, 2008 04:09 PM Read

I have been owning this darling bike for the last 6 years and finally I have decided to move on - I have got all the money's worth from this black colored bike. The Price at 95K on road that to during 2002 Jan was way ahead of any other bike in India. Never has this bike let me down at anytim...Read More

Sep 04, 2007 12:20 PM Read

Who owns a Baby Elephant ?? First of all, this review is purely about Kawasaki Eliminator and not Bajaj Avenger. It was time for me to write a review on this Black Beauty after owning it for over 6 years now. GENERAL OPINION COMFORTABLE, STYLE, MAJESTY, ROADGRIP, LOTS OF CHROME and of cour...Read More

Poor man's Harley Davidson

May 05, 2007 11:00 AM Read

I was hooked to this bike the day I saw it's advertisement on a Billboard, it was like love at first sight. I decided I would have it one day if the launch price did not exceeded Rs. 75000. Although I couldn't afford it at that time even if the price would have been Rs 75K. I enquired from the d...Read More

Eliminator Electrical problems

Oct 14, 2006 02:25 PM Read

HI, Vijay Here frm Bangalore I have had this bike (Eliminator) for about 1 year now. The bike is ok per say. The after sales service is non existant. The mechanics are Idoits with no knowledge of electrical systems. Even after my telling them about the Self Starter problem The insisted ...Read More

Long term (time wise) Review

Jul 09, 2006 11:50 AM Read

I have had the eliminator since oct 2001. It has done about 14000km since I have other vehicles also which I use regularly (Maruti 800, Bajaj KB 100 and BSA 350). It is a great bike and fulfills the aspirations of wannabe cruiser riders in India who can not afford the big league like Harley etc....Read More

Apr 20, 2006 04:56 PM Read

The Eliminator at the time of its launch was the drool machine for most young indian males, its looks, the finish and all that chrome came in a never seen before cruiser pakage in india. A price tag of 90+k on the road initially just improved on the aura. But saying that the bike dissapointed...Read More

2006 Kawasaki Eliminator® 125 Motorcycles

Oct 31, 2005 05:53 PM Read

Now the all new eliminator is Eliminator 125 is powered by an air-cooled, 125cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder engine specially tuned for low- and mid-range torque, making it perfect for around-town riding. The electric starter makes getting underway easy, and a convenient five-speed transmission...Read More

Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD

Sep 07, 2005 05:24 AM Read

I'm writing this review here because there wasn't a separate category for Kawasaki except for those manufactured under the Bajaj banner. Also, this review might not be very relevant to consumers in India since this motorcycle has not been marketed in India - yet. I just read a few reviews abo...Read More

Journey from Eliminator to Avenger

Aug 21, 2005 12:41 PM Read

Kawasaki Eliminator now on the road with the new nickname avenger. For those who don't know the original eliminator series I would like to say that the original Eliminator from kawasaki was of 600cc and probably launched on 1996(Of course not available in india). That bike wasn't a huge success ...Read More

The real cruiser in india

Aug 15, 2005 12:52 AM Read

I am using my kawasaki eliminator for the last 3.5 years and I am totally obsessed with this bike! the next one I love to ride is a Harley Davidson V Rod. I dnt like the bullet thunderbird because it got no pick up and in highways it takes a life time to gain the top speed.... believe me as my b...Read More

An Indian Harley Davidson

Jun 13, 2005 07:03 PM Read

Hi guys, My name's jatin and I stay in delhi. I own a kawasaki caliber 115, but one of my close friends owns a kawasaki bajaj eliminator. It' been a year for him owning this motorcycle. This bike has real cruiser capabilities and does have raw power too. the bike has clocked more than 9...Read More

Bajaj Avenger Test Ride

Jun 07, 2005 01:49 PM Read

Hi all, Today I, called up the nearest Bajaj dealer to know when Avenger would be available for a test ride. To my surprise they told me that they have it on display and is available for a test ride. So I went along with a friend of mine to the dealer. There was no vehicle on the display.... ...Read More

May 12, 2005 10:40 PM Read

Hi there. im back now with some good news. The bajaj auto is going to launch its own country made cruiser. The Avenger, this will be going to have a pulsar 180 dtsi engine . this is totally indian made . so now extra import prices like the older eliminator. About the bike. They've finally don...Read More

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Interview With The Vampire - Theatre of Vampires Poster

Interview With The Vampire - Theatre of Vampires Poster

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A prop poster production made for use in the 1994 film "Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles", starring: Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise & Christian Slater.

The poster was made to be used within the Paris Theatre set and they can seen outside the theatre and also inside. It's made from thick paper and has been lightly distressed to appear old. It features an image of a vampire bat and in an old gothic style font the text in French "Theatre des vampires, la mort en cinq actes", that says in English "Theatre of Vampires, Death in Five Acts". A rare item as props and costumes are seldom seen from this film.

It's been custom framed so it's ready to hang on the wall, the frame has a black moulding with an acrylic safety glass front, the frame measures: 620mm x 860mm x 23mm. (24.4" x 33.8" x 0.9").

This item comes supplied with a COA (Certificate of Authenticity).

Browse this category: Original Props


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Carolyn's first day of preschool

Today was Carolyn's first day of preschool. Just writing that makes me feel much older than I was yesterday.

At any rate, last week there was a short orientation at the new school that consisted of touring the classroom, playing with some toys, eating popsicles, playing on the playground, and finally crying because she didn't want to leave school so soon. Based on that experience, we weren't too worried about Carolyn liking her new school, and as it turns out she had a fantastic first day. The transition was certainly helped by having her gal pals Ellie and Shannon in her new class.

Of course, we had to take the obligatory first day of school pictures, and Carolyn obliged with some dramatic poses.

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Darul Ilm – The House of Knowledge

I pray to the Almighty ALLAH to make this website and the contents in it are of benefit to the readers and me, and make this as a Sadaqa Jariya. Also, may ALLAH forgive me for any mistakes or wrong information provided in the website – Aameen.

From Ghana to America, as an Imam

– by Barbara Bradley Hagerty with Sheikh Rashid Lamptey

All Things Considered, August 6, 2007 · The day is sunny and hot, the hamburgers are on the grill, the kids are jumping on the moon bounce and about 400 people are milling around the brand new Dar Al Noor mosque in Manassas, Va.

Neighbors and members of the congregation are here — even Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine is coming. James Dade, a non-Muslim who lives nearby, is manning the grill. As he hands a burger to a Muslim friend, he turns and gives this assessment of his new neighbors.

"They’re very friendly, very helpful, very community-oriented," he says, noting that his best friend attends Dar Al Noor. "If there were more Christians like my friend, we wouldn’t have any problems in this world."

It is a happy appraisal on this happy Sunday afternoon in July — the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new mosque. Sheikh Rashid Lamptey, the new imam, can barely contain his excitement as he waits for the governor to arrive.

Lamptey is serving a growing mosque in one of America’s fastest-rising religions — with more than 2 million faithful to date. The imam plays a dual role: He’s the face of Islam to his congregation and to Americans who might be wary of Muslims.

"Look!" says Lamptey, who is slim with dark skin, in contrast to his white robes and a perpetual grin on his face. "Everyone is here: the politicians, the security men, the people who protect us. We have their trust, they have our trust. This is what we want to establish — the trust, so we can work together towards a more peaceful community."

A few moments later, the imam introduces Kaine. The governor greets the crowd in Arabic, eliciting applause from his Muslim onlookers, then speaks about America as the bastion of religious freedom.

"We like the way he is," Lamptey remarks, satisfied. "He is an outreach person — reaching out and bridging the gap, building bridges and getting closer to us. That is what we want. We want to be included."

A Cool Reception

But drive a half-mile and the reception is chillier. People outside of the Safeway grocery store in Manassas are not clear what goes on at the mosque down the road. One person asked if they sacrifice cows. (The answer is no.) Seventeen-year-old Amanda Weeks said all she knows is what she learned in high school.

"I know that the men and women are separated when they pray," she said. "And they take off their shoes and they wash before they go in. That’s about it."

Others were a bit more suspicious.

"I wouldn’t say that it’s the Muslims who are the terrorists," said nearby resident Johnny Wilson. "But they do some things that cause some concerns for me."

Such as? A 10-second pause ensued while he considered the question.

"You know, off the top of my tongue I can’t name any," he said, laughing, "but they do some things that cause some concerns."

Brianna Altman, who works for local government, has more specifics. She worries that Muslims present a peaceful front to the outside, but may have a political or religious agenda.

"And after 9/11 — and we had over 20 people in this community who lost their lives that day — it makes you think," she said. "It’s very difficult. It takes a leap of faith, really, to believe that they are here peacefully."

Imam Sheik Lamptey has his work cut out for him, and he knows it.

"Muslims have to be careful, because they have a picture that is not nicely painted of them," he said in his office one muggy July day, as a ceiling fan whirred on high speed. He wore a blue prayer cap, a navy suit and a royal blue shirt that billowed a bit over his slim frame.

Hearing the Call to Service

Lamptey was born in Ghana, the fifth of eight children. Ghana is predominately Christian, but Lamptey’s father was an imam, a very religious man. The kids were less devout.

"Growing up, the kids prayed when it was time to pray, but we didn’t care so much about it," he recalled. He paused. "Until I had this epiphany about doing something about my religion."

When he was 16, Lamptey "did something" — in the form of intense investigation. He says he started with the premise that all religions were equal, "a clean sheet," as he put it. He studied Christianity, Judaism and Islam. After many years of studying the sacred texts of each faith, Lamptey came to believe that religions were at root the same, and he eventually settled on the faith of his childhood.

Lamptey won a scholarship to university in Sudan. He earned two masters’ degrees, in Arabic and Islamic studies, which qualified him to become an imam. But Lamptey had no intention of doing so. He became fluent in Chinese and moved to Beijing to teach at a university. And that’s where he was when he was called to be a spiritual leader — not by God, but by his friends in Ghana.

"I received letters from Ghana saying, ‘Look, you went and studied. Now you need to come back home and help the people,’" he recalled. "So I immediately packed my stuff and went back home."

Coming to America

Soon, Lamptey was appointed Ghana’s deputy national imam, becoming the No. 2 cleric in Ghana. He was 23. He served a large mosque and appeared frequently on national television and radio. It was on radio that he caught the attention of a Fulbright scholar from Connecticut named Jerusha, a young woman who had converted to Islam.

"She used to give me a ride to the radio programs," he said. "She would say, ‘I’ll come and pick you up and give you a ride, because I like to hear you speak on the programs.’" He smiled at the memory. "That’s where we got acquainted with each other."

Eventually, Jerusha returned to the United States. She left a gaping hole in Lamptey’s heart — and in the practice of his faith. In Islam, he says, duty to God is only half of the religion.

"The other half is duty to your spouse, because in that half, that is where you get tested a lot," he observed. "And so I decided this is the time for me to go into marriage. And I looked around and I realized, well, she sounded very religious, and at the same time, very attractive. So I said, ‘OK, let me settle down with this beautiful lady.’"

The imam visited Jerusha’s family in the fall of 2002, courtesy of the U.S. government, which had invited young foreign imams to tour the United States. On that trip, Lamptey traveled to New York to see the wreckage of the Twin Towers himself. He could scarcely believe what had been done in the name of his faith.

"I stood at Ground Zero, camera in hand," he recalled, his voice going deadly quiet with anger. "I tried to find a reason for people to do that. No reason appeared. I tried my very best. I couldn’t find one simple reason that says we can throw a bomb or put an airplane into a building. I felt the melancholy, the weight of it, and I said, the time has come for us to stop using religion for ulterior motives, and teach people what religion stands for."

Bridging Cultural and Gender Divides

Now Lamptey has his chance — as the new imam at Dar Al Noor. And while Lamptey must always contend with hovering suspicions about Islam from the outside, he spends most of his time tending to the spiritual needs of his own congregants. When he arrived in the United States, he found himself smack in the center of a debate on how half of his congregants should be treated.

"This may sound controversial to a lot of people," he said, "but that is the fact that men and women can pray in the same room. Though the women are delayed behind the men, they should be in the same setting. The women should not be taken far away and hidden from the public. Because that was not what the prophet did. And it’s more of a cultural issue than a religious issue."

At noon prayers one day, when Lamptey told the women to move forward and participate in the service, visitors in the room looked around, surprised, before moving forward. Lamptey said in Dar Al Noor, it would be an outrage to treat women with little respect. Many of them sold jewelry and other valuables to raise money for the $14 million mosque.

"After the women did all this, I do not believe we can relegate them to the footnote."

Spiritual Counselor and More

The imam’s duties range from spiritual guide to resident psychologist, sorting through the never-ending details of his people’s lives. The work begins with 5 a.m. prayers and ends when Lamptey drags himself home, often after midnight. In between prayers, he teaches the Koran and youth class. He preaches at funerals and weddings. He counsels parents and children, couples in love and those in distress.

"It’s a very huge responsibility to be an imam," he said. "Being an imam, you are exposed to everything in a community. You hear stories from families. Secret deals. Things that you don’t expect to hear on people’s private issues."

Almost as he uttered these words, Lamptey glanced out his door to see a woman and her mother outside his office. They had been waiting for two hours. He rushed out and ushered them in.

The woman, Sophia, had been abandoned by the man she married in Pakistan — a situation fairly common to U.S. imams, as most of their congregants are first-generation immigrants. Sophia wanted the imam to sign her divorce papers, to give the divorce religious as well as legal legitimacy. Lamptey granted her request and then looked at her across the desk.

"To tell you the truth, this is a blessing in disguise," he said gently. "At least he has not stained your life. He has just run away like a chicken." She laughed. "And tomorrow you’ll find a real man, and you’ll be happy then. You’ll forget about this man."

Insha Allah, she said softly. "God willing."

Lamptey promised to find a match for Sophia — indeed, he is compiling a computer database of eligible singles. He told her he will help her reshape her future. It’s the same message he is delivering to his congregation as they negotiate their spiritual lives in a post-Sept. 11 America.

"It is up to us Muslims to put our religion out there and make it very transparent for people to see," he said, "and understand that this religion is not about bombing, it’s not about killing, it’s not about marrying 70 women in heaven, as I heard somebody say. It’s about accountability; it’s about sincerity; it’s about forgiveness; it’s about love."

Lamptey rose to leave. It was time for evening prayer — a reminder for the imam that, even in a new country, he can take comfort in the ancient rhythms of faith.

Admin @ Darul Ilm • December 31, 2008

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TN Promise at Motlow my Motlow Academic ProgramsApply Now

Motlow State Community College
(800) 654-4877

Tennessee Promise students must complete community service by August 1

LYNCHBURG, TN (June 28, 2016) — All incoming and current Motlow State Community College students have until Aug. 1 to complete eight hours of community service in order to remain eligible for the Tennessee Promise scholarship.

"There are numerous ways that students can complete their community service hours, including job shadowing, cleaning local, state, and recreational parks, or by assisting local non-profit organizations," said Jonathan Graham, Tennessee Promise coordinator at Motlow.

"Last year, Tennessee Promise students volunteered a total of 318,183 hours which, according to tnAchieves, resulted in a monetary value of $6,592,751.76 given back to the State of Tennessee by Tennessee Promise scholars," Graham added.

Students who still need to complete their community service hours can visit the Motlow Tennessee Promise webpage at for an up-to-date listing of community service opportunities in their area.

Students can also visit the tnAchieves website,, which lists a host of community service opportunities for students in their local region. Community service hours can be submitted to the tnAchieves website as well.

Students must complete the tnAchieves program in their county to access Tennessee Promise funding.


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Would you like to set Jacksonville as your default chapter? Yes No

MWOY Jacksonville

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Presents

Man & Woman of the Year

Man & Woman of the Year is philanthropic competition to support blood cancer research among a group of motivated and dedicated individuals in communities across the United States.  Candidates form powerful fundraising teams and compete in honor of two local children who are blood cancer survivors.

The man and woman who have raised the most funds during the ten-week campaign are awarded the prestigious title of Man or Woman of the Year in their community.  The man and woman who have raised the most across the entire US will be recognized as the national Man & Woman of the year.

Congratulations to all 2017 Man & Woman of the Year candidates and team members. We are currently accepting nominations for 2018 candidates. For additional information please contact your local chapter.

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