Beverly Hills-Based Foreclosure Rescue Scam Is Busted

Federal charges were filed Monday against two SoCal women for their alleged roles in a Beverly Hills-based foreclosure rescue scam that collected at least $5 million from more than 1,000 “vulnerable” homeowners, prosecutors said.  

“The defendants in this case stand accused of profiting off of the desperation of people who were trying to hold on to their most valuable asset—their homes,” said Benjamin B. Wagner, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California. “This office is deeply committed to tracking down and prosecuting those who prey on vulnerable homeowners.” 

Jewel L. Hinkles, also known as Cydney Sanchez, 61, of Los Angeles, and Bernadette Guidry, 43, of Irvine, were among five people from throughout the state charged in a federal indictment unsealed today in Sacramento, according to Wagner.

Hinkles and Guidry are each charged with eight counts of mail fraud, while Hinkles faces an additional 16 counts of bankruptcy fraud, Wagner said. 

According to court documents, Hinkles is the founder and general manager of Beverly Hills-based Horizon Property Holdings, LLC, which from 2008-10 pitched a purported foreclosure rescue service called “Save My Home” or “Homesaver.” 

Guidry was Horizon’s office manager and assisted Hinkles with promoting the foreclosure and principal reduction program—which was sold directly and through affiliates—to clients in Northern California, according to prosecutors. 

The defendants allegedly told homeowners that for a substantial up-front payment and a monthly fee, they would save the homeowners’ houses. But according to the indictment, the defendants failed to save clients’ homes but continued to collect fees. 

If convicted, the defendants face a possible maximum of 20 years in prison for each mail fraud count, five years in prison for each bankruptcy fraud count and a $250,000 fine for each count, Wagner said.

This report was compiled with information from City News Service.

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