Two Oahu men have been indicted by a grand jury for allegedly running an elaborate property scam that targeted unsuspecting homeowners and homebuyers.
According to officials, 41-year-old Eldon Simer and 30-year-old Guy Villanueva forged and recorded fraudulent property deeds in an attempt to steal ownership of residential homes. After recording the fake documents, they either sold or attempted to sell their fabricated property interests to unsuspecting buyers.
Attorney General Anne Lopez said the men exploited the Hawai‘i Bureau of Conveyances by submitting forged deeds, effectively stealing the rightful owners’ property interests.
“These men stole the rightful owners’ property interests and defrauded purchasers,” Lopez said. “The Department of the Attorney General seeks to protect homeowners and hold Simer and Villanueva responsible for their egregious criminal activity.”
Honolulu Police located and arrested both men, who are now being held without bail at the Oahu Community Correctional Center.
Simer faces a lengthy list of charges, including five counts of first-degree computer fraud, first-degree theft, six counts of first-degree attempted theft, insurance fraud, and two counts of second-degree forgery. Villanueva is charged with first-degree computer fraud and first-degree attempted theft.
The charges carry severe penalties in Hawaii:
First-degree computer fraud (Class A felony): up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine
First-degree theft, attempted theft, insurance fraud (Class B felonies): up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine
Second-degree forgery (Class C felony): up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine
