Real Estate Consultant · Fort Myers, FL · Member since 2008 · 2 posts · 1 vote
Harbor Funding Group is being investigated for fraud....beware!!!!!!
DO NOT DO BUSINESS IN MISSISSIPPI WITH GLOBAL FUNDING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, LLC.....based in Florida building under Go Zone in Mississippi....beware....they approximately 5 companies setup that funnel money into Global Development.....flips are involved.....Dream Developers, LLC, Land Solutions, LLC, The Squad, LLC, among others.....someone buys the lots under Land Solutions employed by them....get the picture now
I can add some actual info to this thread. There are several boiler room operations out of Ft. Myers FL and Gulfport MS that ran ads on the internet for the go zone. They put on seminars and took you to see properties in MS that they would build for you. Most were in Bayside Park, an old downtrodden development in Bay St. Louis, MS. It all looked good and you'd be told by a lender, Harbor Funding by way of C & W funding they'd get you a loan for x amount. This would cover the const, points and when it closed, you'd receive a rent guarantee and decor allowance of 10% back in your pocket, basically 90% loan.
Example-$240K duplex . You place $24K with the developer, Blue OAK CONST (had other names before) who then placed funds into escrow with JPO Title . This is where it gets wierd.
Harbor Funding then requested the funds to go to their escrow agent, Michael D. Garber, a NY and NJ attorney from JPO. The wizard pulling the strings behind the curtain of Harbor Funding is Bill Lange, and supposedly,he requested the funds from Garber. It appears he received them and used them to leverage with a hedge fund overseas by putting up millions to get hundreds of millions to lend.
The developer continued selling pre builds based on the info and potential loans from Lange. I "purchased" 2 duplexes from Blue Oak-Gulf Stream Dev and sent them $48,000. I've been trying to get money back for 6 months. Garber has had his accounts frozen by the Bar in NJ. Lange has now disappeared from Seattle but keeps promising a return of my funds.
I don't know if I'll ever see my $ and I don't know a sINGLE investor that has had a closing on property through these guys. There are still some of those involved above ground in Ft. Myers, and still doing seminars, now selling foreclosures in SW FL.
Be very careful. These folks are in over their heads, or crooks, or slick or all of the above. I have lots of info on all this and would love to join any action or furnish my info to the investigators or FBI. It is a can of worms.
As to any assets of Harbor Funding. Lange pledged a LOT of funds and the ruse was a goldmine or gold stocks he had plus the cash. He closed his office last week and did give me the new phone # for him, but I haven't tried it yet.
Scott- the investigation needs to start right where you are with Garber. He is the key to knowing where the money went. There is an attorney /lender in MN that is out 800K and thinks he'll see his funds returned from the court. He doesn't return calls now. He quoted me 3K to file my request with the court, but I'm not sure he's received anything nor whether Garber or Lange has the funds!!
JPO title is no longer where they were in Ft Myers. I think everyone is scrambling for under ground.
Hows' that for more info on this mess? Rich.
Hi All - especially Scott Allan. PLease can you tell me if Michael Garber has anything to do with Global COmmunity Development - or YOur Land Solutions. My monies for 2 duplex purchases were sent to escrow- with I am told - The Title Connection in Florida, Fort Myers. I have read and re-read all your comments and admit to being seriously concerned as I can get no closing documents despite having paid up some eight months ago although a friend who attended the seminar in Britain with me last summer has had his closing documents and has also had an interview over the telephone in respect of his SRAP cashback with the Mississippi Development Association. I a considering asking for my cashback.I bought haing attended the seminar where the speaker seemed very genuine - his name was Danny Silver and he had connections to the Rothschilds or so he said. What do you think are my chances of this deal closing or of my getting my cash back? Thanks for any advice you can offer. :cry:
If you sent 24K per duplex, that would be exactly the amount I sent. Sounds familiar. I sent money to Blue Oak , who deposited with JPO title, ft myers, who sent to Garber. State of NJ has frozen funds of Garber acct, but no one seems to know how much he still has. I've heard about the closing statements, but I've yet to hear of a SINGLE deal that has funded and closed.
Any deal in go zone must be completed before 12-31-09 to qualify. Time continues to fly by, so chance of it being done in time becomes less likely every day. Good luck to all of us that dealt with these entities. Rich.
Bill Lange also owns a company called First Fianancial Consultants. The company targets credit challenged folks. The whole scheme is a scam. His company never has the funding for COE.......and then they won't refund your money, much less communicate with you. Bill Lange is a scam artist. I'm going to do anything within my power to expose this thief.
I've also complained to the Attorney General of WA and AZ........as well as the BBB of WA. Currently I'm researching what else I can do to put to get this man off the streets.
Scott, I've complained to the FBI today, thanks to you. Is there anyway I can get his number? He's conveniently disconnected his numbers for First Financial Consultants AND Harbor Funding in the state of WA.
I am British and don;t understand SEC and BBB and COE! Sorry to be so inepy but could you please not use these abreviations if at all possible as I am having greatest difficulty understanding. I complained to the team who sold me the duplexes over the weekend and was told not to worry about the cash-cak money or srap - I am assured that this is being re-done but I sure didn;t have a title deed when my application went in....assuming it di go in of course as I have no proof either way. NY team also deny any problems with Bill Lange and just say the credit crunch has held them up. I know this sounds so naive but I cannot believe that folks can do this kind of thing and get away with it. I am virtually penniless now having used up all my savings - where do I complain to in the US please anyone? I want to see these guys caught and sorted out. Thanks for any advice any one can offer.Also where was Bill Lange's office situated? I note in previous posts that he closed it and fired all his staff - I am led to believe that this guy is no naive - never been out of Alaska in his life and has a gold mine. Obviously load of rubbish but that is the sum total of my knowedge about the man.
Start by contacting the U.S. embassy or Consulate office to contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI).
Bill Langes office is in WA. Here is the address: 7901 Skansie Ave Suite 205 Gig Harbor, WA 98335.
I just received and e-mail this morning from the Better Business Bureau(BBB) who indicated that Bill Lange has CLOSED his office and was going to try and refund money by July 1st. I'm not holding my breathe on that one. (COE is close of escrow and I don't know what SEC is). Hope this helps. I'll update more as soon as i know anything and I hope anyone else on this site will too.
Scott,
I just found your messages about Harbor Funding Group on the biggerpockets forum and I want to connect with you directly. I entered into 3 contracts with Global Community Development in Florida and the lender they were using was also Harbor Funding Group. Apparently some properties were funded but they did not fund mine and I am now being told that the Title company sent the funds to Harbor Funding already and they are trying to get the funds back.
Since you seem to be the most knowledgeable on Harbor Funding, can you give me an idea on where to start on this because I am not sure if I am getting the round around from GCD or if they are really on my side?
Regards,
Gera
I too have been scammed by Michael Garber and a few others for $7 million. I am currently suing them in Federal Court and I have also kept Scott A up to date on this as we are both trying to go after these guys. Just wish our justice system worked faster.
My thanks to Jerry Shriner for info on Bill Lange and his help with the abbreviations. I intend to tackle the guy who sold me these so-called investments today or tomorrow as I am given the run-around by all the Global Staff when I email or telephone. I am getting rather sick and tired of the whoel thing and truly wish someone would just tell me the truth. I would prefer to here that I am not getting a cent back rather than be lied to and told to wait just a few more weeks - I have in all honestly been given the same responses since December 2008. Does anyone know anything else about either Land Solutions, Global Community Development or a company called Choice Property Management run by someone called Leona Redd which is,as I understand it, a letting company that would eventually take care of the tenants etc.,....Assuming of course that there are ever any properties built to h ouse them! All these companies are in Florida. Thanks again Gerry and just one more thing. I see a post from an Eddie Ziv about Harbour Funding - but I think he has the wrong type of Harbour! Ours is Harbor and isn't one you can moor your boat in! Thanks again....I will be checking here every day to see if any further info is available...Pauline.
I spent all day yesterday talking to various agencies in Florida and they are so narrow in theri jurisdiction. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulations confirmed that the Title company that Global Community Development, LLC (GCD) used is a legitimate Title Agency called The Squad, LLC doing business as The Title Connection. This title company os the one that release my money to the mortgage company Harbor Funding Group, Inc according to GCD. Of course it tool GCD 5 months to tell me this so I smell a huge scam here but it is unclear who is covering up for whom. The Florida Department of Financial Services told me that they can only assist me if the real property being purchased was in Florida, so since these are properties in Mississippi, I have to contact the Department of Banking and consumer Finance in that state to go after the mortgage company (Harbor Funding Group).
I need help from someone in this group who has already gone through the mess me and others in this forum appear to be experiencing right now. Who really has jurisdiction over this Harbor Funding Group and has anyone verified that GCD is legitimate?
Thanks for any help you can give.
Here is the most recent # given to me from Bill Lange himself. 253-441-0066. The title company on my deals was JPO title, Jackie Olmstead. The company shared an office with Home 1st Lending, operated by Roger "RC" Campagnolo. He was Langes marketing person. I went to try and find her at the address given, and she is gone. I'm all for hanging the entire batch. I'll be moving to that same area of FL where all the creeps started out. I'll be visiting there for a week, beginning monday, June 15.See you swfl people soon. Rich.
Hi Everyone. Sorry for the delay in response. I didn't get e-mails letting me know that everyone was hitting this thread. I have spoken to some on here and not to others. Quick update:
Bill Lange, Michael Garger, Roger C, and Co are all under investigation by the U.S Justice Department. If you contacted the FBI, they will push this to the bottom of the pile. Believe me, I've already gone there 8 months ago.
Bottom line, Garber's funds were frozen on 12/8/08. Lange is nowhere to be found, however our government will find him just fine. Garber will be dealt with.
I was the only one to personally confront Garber. He lives 12 miles from me at my NJ residence. He told me point blank that he sent all the money to Bill Lange. So now the investigation is in full force and we will have answers soon.
I am not sure where the money is. I wish I did as I have a lot of money in also. I have committed a full time job to make sure our government has the resources to get an indictment. It will happen.
Those that want to reach me, I will put you in touch with the U.S Justice Dept division that is handling this case. PM me, call me or e-mail me. Thanks and I promise to stay more apprised to this thread.
I am a newbie here, but found this thread while looking into how I got scammed by Blue Oak / JPO / Bill Lange / Prime Finance and the like. I am interested in contacting you, Scott Allan, so you can put me "in touch with the U.S Justice Dept division that is handling this case."
I am not sure how to accomplish that. I just joined BiggerPockets but it is not obvious to me how to get a message through. I am not happy with this situation at all.
I'll try to join your contacts list, but it would help people contact you if you post your contact info.
Carlos,
I had the previous post. My contact is at the bottom of the post. The previous post was from Scott allan. His info is also at the bottom. The only one that doesn't have contact info is,,,,,,,,,you. Rich
I just found this thread also and would like to get involved to get my money back as well. I am out $26K for a duplex through Catch 29 Development. Sounds like some of you are all over this so far, and I am willing to do my part also.
I can be contacted at [Contact info removed for member security].
To each and everyone of you that have been taken my HEART goes out. NO one wants to see a honest person get taken for anything. We all work to hard and to diligent for things like this to happen. I appreciate those that are able to come forward a speak about there experiences. Many of you are SAVVY AND EXPERIENCED.
My questions are simple and not made to UPSET ANYONE. Why would you send money to an attorney they you do not know. Meaning did anyone check these guys out. I would always recommend putting money in ESCROW with your TITLE COMPANY OR ATTORNEY.
Also, I have never been a BIG fan of going into areas where everyone is GLORIFYING how you can make money because this is the new hot area. Areas like this BRING THE SHARKS OUT. They disguise themselves as SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PEOPLE and as you can see ATTORNEYS, REAL ESTATE AGENTS, APPRAISERS, AND DEVELOPERS all get involved into the act.
All this new building and construction is just like everything else around the country to me. They promise you that they will give you money back to cover cost while construction is being completed and then they will help you find a tenant so that you can CASH FLOW. Well I will always stick by my guns and say that many of you need to learn how to do these things yourselve so that you can understand the process.
As time goes forward there are going to be many more SCAMS to come so I will say this in closing. If you can not use your people to hold the money or they need money up front or the deal just SOUNDS so GREAT AND FABULOUS then walk away from it.
I find GREAT AND FABULOUS DEALS all the time and some of them I walk away from. Here today gone tomorrow. As I said before my heart goes out to ALL of you and I hope and pray that you get some SATISFACTION in bringing these CROOKS to justice.