THE FEDS REEL IN A GREAT WHITE.

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Author: Cowan, ColemanStead, Deborah

REWIND

After living on the lam for almost two years, Rebecca Hauck, 34, was arrested a few weeks ago by U.S. Secret Service agents in Houston on federal charges of bank fraud, identity theft, and money laundering, among others. Along with her ex-boyfriend, Matthew Cox, 36, Hauck is charged with swindling at least 10 lenders, including Bank of America and SunTrust Banks, by engineering an elaborate mortgage fraud scheme that spanned Alabama, the Carolinas, Florida, and Georgia (BW -- Sept. 5). Authorities say Hauck and Cox rented properties and, assuming the identities of the true owners, then forged "deeds of satisfaction" to erase mortgage liens and obtain multiple loans on the same property.

From 2002 to 2004, Hauck and Cox allegedly amassed millions in fraudulent loans and then disappeared. "Ms. Hauck was the subject of a nationwide fugitive search after her alleged widespread criminal fraud scheme left a trail of victims and a lot of missing money," said David Nahmias, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. Hauck was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher Hagy on Apr. 24 and is being held without bond. Hauck's attorney, Paula Hutchinson, says she expects her client to enter a guilty plea on May 9. According to Hutchinson, Hauck is cooperating with investigators who are still hunting for Cox. He is rumored to be hiding in Florida, where the pair first met through an online dating service. Hutchinson says she hopes Hauck will receive considerably less prison time if she helps lead investigators to him.

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Copyright The McGraw-Hill Companies, Copyright 2006

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By Coleman Cowan

Edited By Deborah Stead