My story began back in February when I ran accross a web site that had access to see homes that were for sale (homesbytel.com). I entered my information and began to search, a few hours later I was called by a Realtor named Scott Tassone (Scotty Tassone). During our conversation I told Scott I was looking for some investment properties and after our conversation he said he may have something for me. He called a few hours later and sent me to a location in Anaheim Hills to view the outside of the home and I did. He said the price was $355,000.00 and homes in this area were going for $450,000.00. He then stated not to disturb the tenant since the home was just about to become bank owned. So, my fiance' and I walked around the outside of the home and were excited to find a home at such a good price. We thought this would make the ideal home to buy and then do a quick turn around sale.
According to Scott this home was going to be banked owned in a few days. He said he has very good inside infromation. So, on February 15th I signed the contracts that Scott had prepared. (see the contract pic on the left). Also, I gave Scott part of a down payment and paid the rest a few days later. A total of $5,325.00 cash. Scott said he need it to be cash because he had to wire the money into escrow. And stupid me, I believed him.
About 3 1/2 weeks later, Scott called and said he had a buyer for the house I had just bid on. He said he had a buyer for the Anaheim Hills home. He said the offer is $429,000.00. I couldn't believe this. I started jumping up and down in the driveway. I had tears in my eyes I was so happy. I told my fiance' and we cried in joy. This money was going to help us start a completely new life. Scott a few days later explained that the loans were going to work with what Scott called a piggy back loan, he said my loan would close and record and then a couple of weeks later the buyers loan would close and record. At this point he said the funds would be disperssed and I'd be a happy man. Well after this information I took my fiance' and her kids out for a celebration dinner. We were so happy and couldn't believe all this was coming true. The contract of the buyers of the house that I thought I was going to own first was signed on March 15th by a couple who I have since contacted. This contact happened after May 10th. I called and spoke with the nice lady about this contract, and she stated she hasn't signed any such contract, and hasn't seen Scott Tassone in quite some time. She also said she would state this fact to the police if needed.
This wasn't the only property I invested in. On February 25th. Scott and I agree to be partners on a property in Irvine. This was another home that was priced in a range that I couldn't turn down. The cost of the Irvine home was $655,000.00. Homes in this area were going in the range of $740k-$780k. Soon after I gave hime half of the down payment on this one he said he had a buyer at $750,000. Again my fiance' and I took the family out for a celebration dinner. We had no idea this was all a scam. Then on March 3rd Scott had another great deal to hard to turn down, a condo in Irvine. All of these contracts (page 1 only) are pictured near the bottom of this web page. So, after 3 months of my investments I was out $21,950.00.
Well, on May 10th is when I found out Scott had no legal right to bid on or sell these homes. I spoke with the owners of the home in Anaheim Hills and the house in Irvine. Both of these home owners are current with their payments and have no desire to sell their homes. Scott will sweart up and down that these deals are real.in fact he still says these deals are legit. Well, it was soon after May 10th that I found out Scott's Realtors license had been suspended since January 7th (See the info located lower on this web page). So, Scott had no legal right to act as a Realtor at all. I was shocked when I found out this news and at this point is when I went to the Anaheim Police Department. The Report Number is 05-22751.
Thanks to the help of the Anaheim Police Department I was able to recover a portion of what Scott owes me. I am still short $10,750.00. It has been a long and very hard time for me and my fiance' to deal with. There has been times at night that I have just broke down. The money I am out has caused us such a hard ship that I am working as much as possible to keep the bills up to date. When you expect a profit to come in and then it doesn't, things take a serious turn. I guess my mom's advice of "don't count your chickens until they hatch" are words to live by. You can view contracts, documents and a phoney check Scott Tassone gave me at realestateconman.com
0 comments