Part I -- Rented Identities, Extravagant Prices and Foreclosure: A Post-Boom Real Estate Scam

Jim McConville used rented identities to buy 81 condos in Escondido and San Marcos last year, pulling $12.5 million from the deals. Now, the condos face foreclosure, at least one lender says he's ruined, and U.S. taxpayers could be on the hook.

» BY KELLY BENNETT and WILL CARLESS | April 10

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Part II -- How It Could Happen in 2008

Despite the efforts to clamp down on the easy-money excesses of the housing boom, the story of 81 bogus condo sales in North County shows the real estate financing system -- all the way up to giant government-run mortgage companies -- remained vulnerable to greed and deception in the last year.

» BY KELLY BENNETT and WILL CARLESS | April 13

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The Latest

• Sommerset Villas Condo Sells for $46,000 (Sept. 30)
• Continuing 'Swindle' Fallout (Aug. 25)
• The McConvilles Caught on Camera (July 7)
• For Sale in Sommerset Villas (June 23)
• McConville's Check Clears (May 26)
• Basement Prices at the Villas (May 21)
• McConville Tenants Take to City Hall (May 19)
• Some 'Swindle' Renters Get Deposits Back (May 18)
• McConville's Management Company Scrutinized (May 7)
• McConville's Fresno Properties (May 6)
• Jim McConville Writes a Check (May 5)
• Linda Vista Townhomes in Foreclosure (April 27)
• VIDEO: San Diego Insider Follows the Story (April 27)
• As McConville Empire Collapses, Marred Investors Seek Redress (April 23)
• Behind the Story (April 15)
• Confusion Reigns at Condos (April 15)
• A Staggering Swindle: Your Thoughts (April 13)

Documents

• Craigslist Ad (pdf)
• Payments Sent to McConville's Company (pdf)
• Hand-Written Letter Greenspan Signed (pdf)
• Jim McConville's Letter to the Developers (pdf)
• Automated Reply from Rep. Issa (pdf)
• Form Letter from Fannie Mac (pdf)
• List of Transactions (pdf)

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