A Massachusetts couple, Dr. Omar Jaraki and his wife, Halla, were left devastated after discovering that scammers had stolen their $1 million retirement plot in Concord, which they had owned since 1991. The couple planned to build a retirement home on the 1.84-acre property but learned it had been fraudulently sold for about half its value. Their nightmare began when they called the town hall for their annual tax bill in August, only to be informed that the land was sold to an unsuspecting buyer.
The fraudsters, posing as the Jarakis, used a counterfeit driver’s license and passport with Halla’s details to dupe a local real estate agent and two real estate attorneys. They listed the plot at a suspiciously low $699,900, and a buyer quickly made a successful offer of $525,000. Construction began soon after on a nearly completed house that the buyer now faces losing.
Richard Vetstein, the Jarakis’ attorney, immediately recognized the deed as a forgery, describing it as riddled with red flags, including identical photos on a fake driver’s license and passport. “This is a disaster,” Vetstein said, warning that similar scams could affect other property owners.
The law supports the Jarakis’ ownership, and they are expected to reclaim their land. However, the fate of the newly constructed house remains uncertain. Possible resolutions include deeding the land back or a financial settlement with the current builder. Meanwhile, the Jarakis are suing the new owner, real estate agents, and attorneys involved, seeking damages and legal fees. The FBI has also launched a criminal investigation into the fraudulent sale.
