Oralia Hidalgo, 46, Colton, California, was sentenced to prison for real estate fraud related crimes. Hidalgo was ordered to serve five (5) years in the California state prison system. The defendant was found guilty on nine (9) felony counts ranging from forgery, grand theft, filing of false instruments, and a grand theft enhancement, which were filed by the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Real Estate Fraud Unit.
As previously reported on Mortgage Fraud Blog, in July 2003, Hidalgo forged the victim's name on a Grant Deed illegally taking title to a residence in Colton, California. The signature of the victim's husband was also forged on the Grant Deed. The husband had died approximately two years prior to the forgery. The defendant encumbered the property and subsequently sold it for $125,000.
The defendant falsified several real estate deeds and forged the signature and stamp of a notary public. The fraudulent deeds were later recorded at the San Bernardino County Recorder's Office. The issue of restitution has been reserved for an upcoming hearing. The fraud was discovered after an extensive criminal investigation conducted by Investigators from the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Unit.


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.