Attorney General Laxalt Announces Guilty Plea of Las Vegas Man for Mortgage Lending Fraud

April 20, 2016

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Defendant defrauded multiple victims out of thousands of dollars

    Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt announced that Benjamin Paul Narter, 36, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty to one count of pattern of mortgage lending fraud, a category “B” felony. The fraud was committed between January 2013 and May 2014.

      Narter operated a purported mortgage refinancing scheme doing business as “National Mortgage Help Center” to dupe consumers. He solicited victims who paid him thousands of dollars in upfront fees to obtain loan modifications on their behalf. Narter entered a guilty plea agreement that requires him to pay back 10 victims nearly $60,000.

        “As Nevadans recover from the housing crisis, mortgage lending scams continue to prey on homeowners in need of assistance,” said Laxalt. “It is important for Nevadans to know that they do not have to pay exorbitant upfront fees for housing help. My Office offers housing assistance through the Home Again Nevada Homeowner Relief Program, a free resource designed to assist homeowners with their mortgage needs.”

          Pattern of mortgage lending fraud is punishable by 3-20 years of imprisonment and a fine of no more than $50,000.The sentencing hearing for Narter is scheduled for August 15, 2016 in the Eighth Judicial District Court.

            This case was jointly investigated by the Mortgage Fraud Unit of the Office of the Nevada Attorney General and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The Nevada Attorney General’s Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

              To view the criminal Information for Narter, click here. To file a complaint about someone suspected of committing fraud, click here.

                The Home Again Nevada Homeowner Relief Program is a one-stop, free resource designed to assist consumers in working towards credit restoration or exploring the options and resources available to reach resolutions for their current mortgage needs. To receive assistance and learn more about the program and eligibility requirements, homeowners are encouraged to contact Home Again by calling 1-855-HLP4NEV (457-4638) or visit the website here. Assistance is available in both English and Spanish.

                   2016-04-20_NarterBenjaminPaul

                  NARTER, BENJAMIN PAUL

                    (Photo courtesy of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

                     

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