Tag Archives: virginia

Judge Bloom Finds California-Based Internet Lender, CashCall, Abused West Virginia Consumers, Violated State Usury Laws. $15 Million Returned to WV

In a much-anticipated ruling likely to have national implications, Kanawha Circuit Judge Louis H. Bloom entered two lengthy orders yesterday finding in favor of the State on all its claims and ordering Internet lender, CashCall, of Anaheim, California, to pay $15 million in civil penalties, refunds, and cancelled debts for the 292 West Virginia consumers [...]

I’m Looking for a Bankruptcy Attorney in Fairfax, Virginia. – Ann

“Dear Steve, I’m in Fairfax County, VA area. I am 4 months behind on house mortgage (HFC – foreign owned). Own tree service and am a partner in a small struggling marketing firm. Anyway, I have been in the tree service for almost 12 years and while it is always slower in the winter, yet [...]

BBB Warns Of Phony Puppy Purchases

As an avid animal lover I believe there’s a special place in hell for pet scammers. No, not people that scam your pets, people that are scammer prospective pet buyers. I will refrain from getting on my soap box about the benefits of adopting animals and the advantages of being a rescue parent (like myself!) [...]

Holy Fraud, Batman! Literally…

Yesterday, an Ohio resident was indicted for allegedly engaging in a fraud scheme that promised to fund more than $500 million in mortgage loans to around 20 churches and a dozen small businesses across the country. The man, Jamal Lawson, fraudulently obtained more than $300,000 in advance fees that he used for personal expenses instead [...]

Lebanese Financial Institutions Linked to Hizballah Allegedly Wired Over $300 Million Into The United States In Money Laundering Scheme

Announced earlier last week was the filing of a civil money-laundering and in rem forfeiture complaint alleging a massive, international scheme in which Lebanese financial institutions, including a bank and two exchange houses linked to Hizballah, used the U.S. financial system to launder narcotics trafficking and other criminal proceeds through West Africa and back into [...]

$78 Million Mortgage Fraud “Dream Home” Scheme Owner Convicted

Andrew Hamilton Williams, Jr., was convicted last week in Maryland of fraud conspiracy, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection to a massive mortgage fraud scheme. The scheme, entitled “Metro Dream Homes” promised to pay off homeowners’ mortgages on the homes of their dreams but instead left them high and dry. According [...]

Did You Win $2.5 Million And A Mercedes Benz From The BBB? I Didn’t Think So…

If you receive a phone call claiming that you’ve won $2.5 million and a Mercedes Benz from a “representative” of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) be wary and hang up! The BBB put out a warning today “cautioning businesses and consumers about a website and phone calls that are purporting to be from BBB about [...]

Union Hispana Defrauds Multiple Virginia Banks

This just in! ANOTHER person thought it would be a GREAT and SUPER SMART idea to defraud a bank … and it WASN’T! When will people learn? Multiple Virginia banks were defrauded almost $3.4 million by Osvaldo Mercado for submitting fraudulent loans. Mercado was indicted on conspiracy, six counts of bank fraud, two counts of [...]

Red Light Camera Scam Raises Red Flags

Sometimes it’s hard to tell the red flag in a scam when it’s a red light. Virginia police are warning of a new scam involving red light cameras. Being from Maryland I know that red light cameras are everywhere. I mean, everywhere. For those of you that have not experienced the alarming horror of these [...]