Tag: Fraud

Bad News:  Fraudsters are by nature slippery and elusive. #drewdonovan

The L.A. Loft Blog has created the Trickster Tracker to help buyers and agents in the real estate industry to avoid Donovan’s trap. Originally from a Michigan trailer park, Donovan has scammed sophisticated individuals, including real estate professionals in Los Angeles, Anaheim and San Diego. We just received several more reports that the con artist has just hit marks in Santa Barbara and several in Monterey, as reported by real estate professional Patricia Mallobox of TNT Realty.  It takes a group effort to combat a talented flamflam man like Donovan AKA Andrews AKA Jackson has he is using his tried and true method of pretending to be rich, feigning the need for assistance due to his terminal illness and meddling parents, and offering to pay bills, buy cars and buy nice homes for those who are deserving.  Of course it is a scam, but very difficult to detect as the hoser is extremely skilled and convincing.

Here are the top three frauds to watch out for in Downtown Los Angeles real estate, starting with the most recently reported:  #christianandrews

1  Drew Christian Donovan AKA Christian Andrews convinces people to buy homes, go into escrow with a million dollar home, promising that he will pay their bills, pay cash for their home, while he then demands hundreds or thousands of dollars to help cover his expenses. He also needs help hiding out from his meddling rich parents (he’s actually hiding from his previous victims and police).  A convicted felon and highly skilled confidence man, he uses convincing tools such as fake payment confirmations, fake checks etc.  #jimmywaynejackson

2  Fake lofts for lease – Agent or manager offers amazing lofts, condos, apartment or house for rent at a very low price.  Desperate renters fill out the online application while the agent/manager is out of town.  The fraudster sells the renter’s identity on the dark web. The victim is left with bad credit and debt. The fake rentals are listed on Craigslist, Apartments.com etc.

3  Fake escrow bank wire earnest money deposit scam – Fraudsters send fake emails to home buyers that look like escrow requests for earnest money deposit or purchase funds.  The bank wire goes to the fraudster’s overseas bank account.  The fraudster withdraws the money and keeps it to live happily ever after, often $10,000 to $1 million or more.  The victim may never recover financially.

While Downtown Los Angeles is the most exciting place on earth with perhaps the most potential for a super future, there are always hidden dangers that require a watchful eye. There are common disasters that can be easily avoided. All Downtown loft buildings have issues that buyers should be aware of before looking at properties for sale.

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Copyright © This free information provided courtesy L.A. Loft Blog and LAcondoInfo.com with information provided by Corey Chambers, Realty Source Inc, BRE#01889449 We are not associated with the homeowner’s association or developer. For more information, contact (213) 880-9910 or visit LAcondoInfo.com  Licensed in California. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Properties subject to prior sale or rental. This is not a solicitation if buyer or seller is already under contract with another broker.