American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals Season 6 Episode 15 Flipping Frenzy Scam/Financial Home Invasion
- July 11, 2012
In season 6, episode 15 of American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals, viewers are introduced to the Flipping Frenzy Scam, also known as the Financial Home Invasion. This episode delves into the world of a group of scammers who prey on unsuspecting homeowners looking to get out of financial trouble by participating in real estate deals.
The scam begins with a group of individuals who form a company and promise to help homeowners sell their homes quickly and for a profit. They do this by approaching homeowners who are in financial distress and offering to buy their homes at a discounted price with a promise to sell the property within a few months at a much higher price, splitting the profits with the homeowner.
The homeowners are lured in by the promise of quick cash and an easy way out of their financial woes. However, what they don't know is that the scammers have no intention of selling their homes. Instead, they use the homes as collateral to obtain loans from banks and other financial institutions. These loans are then used to finance their lavish lifestyles, leaving the homeowners with even more debt and no way out.
The scammers go to great lengths to convince the homeowners that their offer is legitimate. They create fake documents, use forged signatures and even employ lawyers and notaries to give the impression that everything is above board. They also use high-pressure tactics to force the homeowners to sign on the dotted line, making it difficult for them to back out of the deal.
One of the victims of this scam is featured in the episode. A single mother who was facing financial trouble was contacted by the scammers and offered a way out. She agreed to sell her home to the group, but when they failed to make payments on the property, she was left with no choice but to foreclose on her home and move her children into a homeless shelter.
The Flipping Frenzy Scam eventually catches up with the scammers, and they are brought to justice, but not before causing untold damage to the lives of the homeowners they targeted. The episode serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of getting involved with real estate deals that seem too good to be true and highlights the importance of thoroughly researching any offers before signing on the dotted line.
In conclusion, American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals season 6 episode 15 offers a compelling look into the Flipping Frenzy Scam and the devastating impact it had on the lives of homeowners. It serves as a reminder that there are people out there who are willing to take advantage of those who are struggling and that it pays to be vigilant when it comes to any offer that promises a quick financial fix.