A
recent wave of real estate scams has hit Lake County, Michigan, prompting the Sheriff's Office to issue a warning to property owners. Deputies have taken multiple reports of fraudulent listings in the past week alone.

    One particularly brazen scam involved a piece of land on Big Star Lake being listed for sale through an out-of-state realtor. A neighbor's keen eye caught wind of the suspicious transaction, and the sale was halted before it could be finalized.

    The scammer's tactics were impressive, creating a fake ID using the property owner's personal information and demonstrating a thorough knowledge of the property and surrounding area. "They did their homework," said Detective/Lt. Brad Nixon. "They knew the area inside and out, but one thing they didn't know was the water depth in front of the property."

    To protect themselves from falling victim to similar scams, property owners are advised to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity. They can also take proactive steps by registering their property for a fraud alert with the local register of deeds office.

    As Detective Nixon noted, Lake County's GIS mapping system makes it easy for scammers to find vacant properties like the one on Big Star Lake. "They just need to know where to look," he said. If you suspect you've been targeted by a scammer or have fallen victim to fraudulent activity, contact your local law enforcement agency immediately.