Key Points
- On Oct. 31, Scottsdale investor and home flipper John Rowan got a call from a “motivated” seller offering a distressed home for a quick cash sale.
- The property was indeed vacant and in poor condition, but the story didn’t add up — especially when the supposed seller demanded a $10,000 cash deposit and refused to let the real owner speak.
- A title officer confirmed the paperwork looked fraudulent. Fake documents had allegedly been uploaded into Maricopa County Recorder/Assessor systems, showing a false transfer to “Rachael Cossette.”
- The real owner had already reported the fraudulent title transfer to Scottsdale Police days earlier.
- Rowan worked with police to set up a sting at a title company on Nov. 6. Suspects Rachael Cossette and Lezlie Jennifer Greer arrived expecting money — and instead were arrested.
- Cossette had multiple warrants and a prior fentanyl-related arrest.
- Police confirmed: the true owner never signed anything and had owned the house for years.
Why This Matters for AZ Real Estate Investors
- Title fraud and seller impersonation scams are increasing across the country — especially with vacant, rental, or inherited properties.
- Investors must verify ownership rigorously and maintain proactive monitoring of property records to avoid getting caught in a fraudulent transfer situation.