Real Estate Fraud Attorney

Real estate fraud happens when someone uses deception, concealment, or misrepresentation to gain an unfair advantage in a property transaction. 

Attorney Amanda Rokita has handled fraud and misrepresentation cases involving real estate throughout Southern California. She has been admitted to the California Bar since 2017 and has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star. Her practice focuses on helping clients dealing with real estate disputes, fraud, and financial losses. The firm has offices in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach and represents clients throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

What Is Real Estate Fraud?

Real estate fraud is any intentional deception in a property transaction that causes another party to lose money or property. It can be committed by a seller, a buyer, an agent, a lender, a contractor, or a co-owner. What ties these cases together is a knowing misrepresentation or a deliberate concealment of something the other party had a right to know.

California law gives fraud victims real remedies. Depending on the facts, you may be able to rescind the transaction, recover damages, and in some cases pursue punitive damages against a party who acted with deliberate dishonesty. The key is acting quickly and preserving the evidence that proves what happened.

Types of Real Estate Fraud We Handle

Real estate fraud takes many forms. Our practice in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills includes claims involving:

• Seller misrepresentation about the condition or value of a property
• Failure to disclose known defects, damage, or material facts
• Forged or fraudulent deeds and title theft
• Fraudulent transfers of property to avoid creditors or co-owners
• Mortgage and foreclosure rescue scams
• Rental and lease fraud
• Straw buyer and identity-based schemes
• Breach of fiduciary duty by a broker or agent
• Misrepresentation in investment and co-ownership deals
• Contractor and construction fraud tied to a property

Proving Real Estate Fraud in California

A fraud claim in California generally requires showing that a party made a false statement or concealed a material fact, knew it was false, intended for you to rely on it, and caused you harm when you did. That is a demanding standard, and it is why these cases live or die on the evidence.

We build fraud cases from the record: the disclosures, the emails and texts, the contract, the inspection reports, and the money trail. We identify what was said, what was hidden, and what it cost you, and we present that story in a way a court can act on. When the facts support it, we pursue rescission of the deal and the full measure of damages the law allows.

Fraud, Title, and Related Disputes

Real estate fraud rarely stands alone. A forged deed often calls for a quiet title action to clear ownership. A fraudulent transfer may overlap with a co-owner dispute. Concealed defects can turn into a breach of contract claim against the seller. Because we handle the full range of real estate litigation, we can pursue the fraud and resolve the title or contract problem it created in the same case.

Serving Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Orange County

High-value markets attract sophisticated fraud, and Los Angeles and Beverly Hills are no exception. We represent homeowners, buyers, and investors who were deceived in deals ranging from a single residence to a commercial investment. Our Newport Beach office brings the same representation to clients across Orange County. Wherever the fraud occurred in Southern California, we can help you pursue the people responsible.

Talk to a Real Estate Fraud Attorney

If you believe you were defrauded in a real estate transaction, time matters. Call Rokita Law P.C. at (888) 765-4825 or schedule a consultation to discuss your options. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Real Estate Fraud: Deadlines and Where to Turn in Los Angeles and Orange County

Timing is critical in a real estate fraud case. In California, fraud claims are generally subject to a three-year limitations period under Code of Civil Procedure section 338, and the clock often starts when you discovered, or reasonably should have discovered, the fraud. Because that discovery date can be disputed, acting promptly protects your claim.

When fraud involves a forged or fraudulent deed, the problem is both a fraud claim and a cloud on title. In those cases we often record a lis pendens and pursue a quiet title action alongside the fraud claim, so the fraudulent document is removed from the record and your ownership is confirmed. Recording happens through the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk for Beverly Hills and Los Angeles property, or the Orange County Clerk-Recorder for Newport Beach and Orange County property.

Fraudulent transfers, where property is moved to keep it away from a creditor or co-owner, are challenged under California’s Uniform Voidable Transactions Act. On the reporting side, the California Department of Real Estate handles complaints against licensed agents and brokers, and both the Los Angeles County and Orange County District Attorney’s offices have real estate fraud units that pursue criminal cases. A civil claim to recover your losses can move forward regardless of whether a criminal case is opened.

Helpful resources

• California Code of Civil Procedure section 338 (fraud limitations) (the official statute on the fraud filing deadline).
• California Department of Real Estate (files complaints against licensed real estate agents and brokers).

Related pages from Rokita Law

• Real Estate Law
• Quiet Title Litigation
• Business Fraud
• Seller’s Remedies for Breach of a Purchase Agreement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is real estate fraud?

Real estate fraud is intentional deception in a property transaction that causes someone to lose money or property. It includes misrepresentation, concealment of defects, forged deeds, and schemes by sellers, buyers, agents, or lenders. We represent fraud victims across Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Orange County.

What can I do if I was defrauded in a property deal?

Depending on the facts, you may be able to rescind the transaction, recover damages, and in some cases pursue punitive damages. The first steps are preserving the evidence and speaking with an attorney quickly, because deadlines apply.

How do I prove real estate fraud in California?

You generally have to show that a party made a false statement or hid a material fact, knew it was false, intended you to rely on it, and caused you harm. These cases turn on evidence such as disclosures, communications, contracts, and financial records.

Can I sue a seller for hiding a defect?

Often, yes. California requires sellers to disclose known material defects. If a seller deliberately concealed a problem, you may have a claim for fraud or nondisclosure and may be able to recover your losses.

What is a fraudulent transfer?

A fraudulent transfer is a property transfer made to put an asset beyond the reach of a creditor or co-owner, or to otherwise deceive a party with a claim to it. California law allows these transfers to be challenged and, in some cases, undone.

What should I do about a forged deed?

A forged deed is both fraud and a cloud on title. We can pursue the fraud and file a quiet title action to remove the forged document from the record and confirm your rightful ownership.

How long do I have to file a real estate fraud claim in California?

Fraud claims are subject to a statute of limitations, and the clock often starts when you discovered, or reasonably should have discovered, the fraud. Because these deadlines can be strict, it is important to act promptly.

Can I recover punitive damages for real estate fraud?

In cases involving deliberate dishonesty or malice, California law may allow punitive damages in addition to your actual losses. Whether they are available depends on the specific facts of your case.

What does it cost to pursue a real estate fraud case?

Cost depends on the complexity of the case and the evidence involved. We review your situation and discuss the likely cost and fee structure with you before moving forward.

Where does Rokita Law handle real estate fraud cases?

We represent fraud victims from our offices in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach, serving Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Southern California.