Dozens arrested in land fraud, extortion ring in north
32 suspects, including several lawyers, allegedly falsified deeds, threatened owners in bid to steal more than 20 tracts of Galilee land
An alleged land-theft ring numbering at least 32 suspects, including several lawyers, has been uncovered in northern Israel, a spokesman for the Israel Police’s Lahav 433 anti-corruption unit said Monday.
The suspects, most of whom are residents of the north of Israel, allegedly forged deeds and other official documents; engaged in fraud and extortion; threatened rightful landowners; and laundered funds in a scheme to illegally gain ownership over large tracts of Galilee land.
Over 20 tracts of land, mostly farmland, were acquired in the scheme, according to the Walla news site.
The group allegedly sold land caught up in the scheme to unsuspecting buyers with the help of forged documents. The suspects held for questioning in the case will be taken to the Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court on Monday for remand hearings.
The Times of Israel Community.