Entour Ferguson, 58, Columbus, Ohio and Steve “Cowboy” McClure, 41, Columbus, Ohio, were arrested shortly after they closed on a bogus mortgage deal at a north Columbus, Ohio title agency. Investigators say the two men used the identity of an unsuspecting Columbus man to obtain a $205,000 loan on a Columbus, Ohio property.

“This is one of the most egregious examples of identity theft,” Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro said. “The perpetrator steals someone’s identity, enters into a deal in that unsuspecting person’s name and leaves the victim with a mortgage of which they are totally unaware. This obviously could have a profound impact on the victim’s financial health.”

Both Ferguson and McClure have been charged with identity fraud, possession of criminal tools and forgery. McClure is currently on parole for a federal counterfeiting conviction. More charges may be forthcoming in this case as the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC) task force continues its investigation.

“The Columbus Division of Police is pleased to assist in these arrests,” Deputy Chief Gary Thatcher said. “The involvement of the Economic Crime Unit in this task force is a benefit to our community as well as the Division of Police.”

Investigators believe that McClure may have been involved in other deals. Individuals should contact Columbus Division of Police at (614) 645-4910 if they have any additional information.

Columbus Division of Police is the lead agency in the Columbus Mortgage Fraud Task Force, which was formed earlier this year to combat mortgage fraud in the central Ohio area. Other task force members include Petro’s office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, the Office of Inspector General for Housing and Urban Development, the Ohio Department of Insurance, the Upper Arlington Police Department and the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office.