A couple received the shock of a lifetime after discovering their million-dollar retirement plot in Massachusetts had been stolen and sold by scammers right under their noses.
Dr. Omar Jaraki and his wife, Halla, bought 1.84 acres of undeveloped land worth $1 million in Concord back in 1991 – where they planned to build a family home to enjoy their retirement.
But when the couple called town hall looking for their annual tax bill in August, they were told that the future retirement plan had been sold for about half its worth.
The horrified couple realized they’d fallen victim to a terrible scam that saw fraudsters successfully pose as them to trick an unsuspecting buyer into purchasing it.
‘They stole our dream. They stole our property. They took a mortgage on it. They’re building a house on it,’ the cardiologist told CBS.
Dr. Omar Jaraki and his wife, Halla had bought 1.84 acres of undeveloped land worth $1 million in Concord back in 1991 – where they planned to build a family home
According to a fraud lawsuit filed by the couple, a scam artist used a counterfeit driver’s license, passport and fake email address of Halla to dupe a local real estate agent and two other experienced real estate attorneys into letting them steal the land in 2023.
The empty plot was reportedly advertised as ‘a great opportunity to build your dream home in the ultra-exclusive, sought after and prestigious Mattison Farm neighborhood. One of the only remaining lots and nestled on a 1.84 acre parcel. Close proximity to Concord & Nashawtuc Country Club’.
An unsuspecting buyer has sine done just that, erecting an almost-completed home on the plot that they’ll almost certainly lose.
The scammers priced the plot at $699,900.00, well below its value.
An unwitting buyer put in an offer of $525,000.00, which was erected – and construction began soon after.
‘They “sold” the Property to a Max Geesey, and got away with nearly $500,000.00 in stolen sale proceeds,’ the documents read.
But when the couple called town hall looking for their annual tax bill in August, they were told that the future retirement plan had been sold for about half its worth
The barren land was reportedly advertised as ‘a great opportunity to build your dream home in the ultra-exclusive, sought after and prestigious Mattison Farm neighborhood. One of the only remaining lots and nestled on a 1.84 acre parcel. Close proximity to Concord & Nashawtuc Country Club’
While the property had been priced at $699,900.00, it was bought for a surprising $525,000.00 and soon a green-painted house was erected
Richard Vetstein, the couple’s attorney noted: ‘The minute I saw this deed, I knew it was a forgery. You just can tell by looking at it. Just the handwriting, it looks off. There were so many other red flags.
‘A quick half a million for a counterfeit driver’s license and passport and sending a couple of emails. That’s a day’s work.’
Officials also noted that the fake South Carolina driver’s license of Halla did not look ‘anything like a real one’ and oddly, the fake United States passport of her had the same photo as the driver’s license.
‘That’s not possible because license photos are taken at the Department of Motor Vehicles. The woman in the fake ID’s looks nothing like Halla Jaraki.
‘This is a disaster. It’s not only for us but for other people like it’s going to happen to them,’ the attorney exclaimed.
‘They “sold” the Property to a Max Geesey, and got away with nearly $500,000.00 in stolen sale proceeds,’ the documents read
Officials also noted that the fake South Carolina driver’s license of Halla did not look ‘anything like a real one’ and oddly, the fake United States passport of her had the same photo as the driver’s license
While the experienced lawyer expects the Jarakis, who were married in Boston, will get their land back, questions remain about what will happen to the house that has being built
The law is on the Jarakis side and they’ll almost certainly get their plot back.
It is unclear what will happen to the unfortunate people who paid the scammers believing they were buying it.
A settlement may also be reached that allows the new buyers – who have not been identified – to stay there, if they can afford the extra outlay.
‘They’re definitely going to get their property back. I think the only question is, what do we do about the house? There’s kind of two ways to go. They can deed the property back to the owners or there can some sort of financial settlement,’ Vetstein said.
According to the lawsuit, which is filed against the ‘new’ owner and the lawyers involved in the scam, the couple are seeking damages, attorneys’ fees and costs against each of the accused.
The FBI has opened a criminal investigation into the fraudulent sale.