Oralia Hidalgo, 46, Colton, California, was found guilty by a jury of 9 felony counts ranging from forgery, grand theft, filing of false instruments, and a grand theft enhancement.
In July 2003, Hidalgo forged the victim's name on a Grant Deed illegally taking title to a residence in Colton, California. She encumbered the property by taking a loan on it. Subsequently, the victim discovered the fraud and confronted Hidalgo at the property. Hidalgo immediately sold the property to an unsuspecting real estate agent for $125,000.
Hidalgo falsified several real estate deeds and forged the signature and stamp of a notary public. Hidalgo, a tax preparer who owned her own business, was extremely sophisticated in falsifying several deeds. The fraudulent deeds were later recorded at the San Bernardino County Recorder's Office.
The Real Estate Fraud Unit investigated the case (2005) and on September 28, 2005, members of the Unit arrested Hidalgo. Sentencing is scheduled for November 16, 2009 in Joshua Tree.
Rachel Dollar, the editor of Mortgage Fraud Blog is an attorney and Certified Mortgage Banker who handles litigation for lending institutions and secondary market investors.