Owner of Downey-based escrow company accused of fraud

DOWNEY — A real estate broker is expected to be arraigned Thursday on federal charges alleging she ran a "home stealing" scheme involving a $1.5 million Burbank house whose owner had his property sold out from under him.

Glenis Cardona, 63, of Highland, and two co-defendants allegedly used stolen identities to sell the home without the owner's knowledge, pocketing nearly $1 million in illicit loan proceeds.

Prosecutors contend that between late 2023 and January 2024, the group used the stolen identities of the actual homeowner and a purported buyer to facilitate a fraudulent sale.

The criminal complaint details a web of forged documents, including false identity cards and deeds.

Cardona allegedly used her company Golden Escrow, which has offices in Downey and Sherman Oaks, to acquire a report evaluating whether any money was owed on the Burbank property.

Federal prosecutors say Cardona purported to represent the home's seller and buyer -- even though neither one authorized the transaction -- and controlled escrow.

After the victim lenders deposited the funds in escrow, Cardona directed the funds to various third-party entities so the schemers could collect their fraudulently obtained money, authorities contend.

The victims include the owner of the house, who lost ownership of the property; the victim buyer, who was obligated to pay back the $975,000 mortgage; the mortgage lending company that unwittingly approved and funded the loan; and the title company that unknowingly insured the transaction, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Cardona is charged in Los Angeles federal court with wire fraud affecting a financial institution and aggravated identity theft.

Co-defendants Ivan Reyes, 50, of Van Nuys, and Basil Tikriti, 54, of Marina del Rey, both signed plea agreements with the government last week, according to court records.