Inman

Father, son convicted of real estate fraud

A Michigan father and son were convicted recently on a 42-count federal indictment that included charges of money laundering, conspiracy, fraud and failing to file income tax returns.

Ahmad Musa Jebril, 33, and Musa Abdallah Jebril, 65, both of Dearborn, Mich., used fake identities to obtain money by defrauding insurance companies and banks, according to the Press & Guide newspaper. After creating aliases, the two used false Social Security numbers, drivers’ licenses and credit histories to secure loans and credit cards.

From 1988 to 2003, the two purchased 12 properties, including an apartment building in Lincoln Park, four houses in Dearborn and seven buildings in Detroit. Using their different aliases, the two transferred ownership of the properties to avoid paying property taxes.

They also made false insurance claims of vandalism to their properties, often for damage they did themselves, according to the Press & Guide. They used fraudulent invoices and forged court documents to support their claims.

Several times, the men made claims to more than one insurance company and collected twice for the alleged damage. They laundered their collections through their bank accounts and withdrew cash to make mortgage and insurance payments, the Press & Guide reported.

The jury concluded that the men defrauded between 10 and 50 people out of more than $400,000.

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