Mortgage fraud in Cities on FBI radar

We've seen properties we think are problematic and they turn up TJ Waconia Federal investigators are probing a renewed rash of potential mortgage fraud in the Twin Cities area in response to reports of a large number of unusual real estate transactions in north Minneapolis and ... via Star Tribune

[Victim]

Jon and Amy Helgason are con artists and thieves. But in the end justice will prevail.

[Victim 2]

I am currently in a situation with Jon and Amy Helgason. It's interesting to find that I'm not their only victim. What happened with you in the post above? I'd love to hear your story!

[Victim]

You and I, unfortunately are probably just the tip of the iceberg. Jon and Amy Helgason have profited from their friends and have destroyed innocent family's futures. They have been living a life they have not earned or deserve.

They have contribuited to the destruction of honest working peoples neighborhoods.

Our only hope is that Jon is put in prison for a very long time.

[kgb]

Well you might just get your wish. The FBI served a search warrant on his office on 11/11/2007.

[angel of death]

let me guess - interim buyer scheme???

[angel of death]

Jons partner in crime Balco just made the news for closing his dance studio ( dancers edge) and walking away with hundreds of little girls tuition fees of thousands each.

[Victim]

It looks like the FBI has him now...Star & Tribune article dated today.

I am so sorry for any of you that were scammed by Jon and Amy Helgason in their scheme. We were supposely long time friends and they used us to gain financial wealth. I just hope the forensic accountants can find where they hide all that money.

I know for us, we plan on being at the trail and to be there the day he is sentenced and sent to prision.

[Joe]

To the Victims - what sort of scams did they do to you? How did they use you? Just curious. Did they use your money to buy homes?

[Victim]

They not only "borrowed" actual money, they used peoples good credit and promised to buy the homes back on a specific date and get the mortgages out of our names. Needless to say they never had any intention of paying people back or buying back the houses.

Wishing them a miserable Holiday Season.

[Former Friend]

I've known Jon and Amy goin' back to the late 80's. I've lost touch since the late 90's but, man, I'm floored! They were always good friends. Sounds like greed got the best of them. Too bad.

[Another former friend]

Yes, it is quite bizarre. I know they were both sucessful in their previous careers so it is a shock that they would have to resort to apparently ripping off friends.

[angel of death]

Rumor has it prison by Christmas!!!!!!!

[jane]

who is angle of death?

[Somebody]

Angel, don't you know that John is owner of that dance studio also?

[no one]

having know the helagason's for many years, I can only believe that there is another side to the story

[Steve C]

Yes, I know Amy and I don't thing she would be involved in any illegal transactions.

[No one2]

It is true there would always be 2 sides to a story but when someone just gets in over their head how easy is it to end up on the wrong side is what I wonder. Doesnt matter how nice anyone is lets not forget all the families this has displaced as well as affected financially.

[Victim]

Steve C wrote:

Yes, I know Amy and I don't thing she would be involved in any illegal transactions.

Steve,

She absolutely knew what was going on and she certainly seemed to enjoy spending my money they borrowed!! She even told me when she was remolding one of her many vacation homes ( that was owned by the "investors") that she did not have to tell the investors anything! She is as scummy as her husband!! We also thought Jon and Amy were nice people....we learned a VERY hard lesson. They have destroyed peoples finances, neighborhoods, futures and hope, all in the name of GREED! I just hope that the FBI can prove that Amy collected an actual paycheck from the companies...then she can go to prison along with Jon.

[In disbelief]

I have known the Helgason's for awhile, and am in disbelief. Are there any more updates to the investigation, when is the investigation expected to be complete?

[Anonymous]

Why did anyone let themborrow money without checking out their company? Especially if they were so blatantly spending it.