Three individuals have been charged for their alleged involvement in multi-state schemes to defraud property owners by impersonating them and selling their land, as well as laundering the proceeds of the deed fraud scheme, according to a July 22 announcement from federal authorities. One defendant is accused of defrauding property owners of approximately $1.5 million, while all three are accused of laundering proceeds between June 2023 and June 2024.
The individuals charged by criminal complaint are Moshe Levi, 57, of Carrollton, Texas (wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy); Kyon James, 44, of Middleboro, Massachusetts (money laundering conspiracy); and Bradley Beauge, 41, of Somerset, New Jersey (money laundering conspiracy). The defendants were arrested on July 16. James was released on conditions after an initial appearance in federal court in Boston that day. Beauge was also released on conditions following his initial appearance in Boston. Levi was detained after appearing in Kansas City and will appear later in Boston federal court.
According to the charging document, Levi and co-conspirators allegedly identified vacant properties owned by out-of-state individuals across Massachusetts, Georgia, Indiana, and Tennessee. They reportedly established email accounts and internet telephony services using fake identifications—including driver’s licenses and passports—in the names of property owners to impersonate them. Using these identities and accounts, they allegedly convinced real estate professionals to list the properties for sale under false pretenses before deeding them to unsuspecting buyers for payment.
It is further alleged that Levi, Beauge, and James conducted financial transactions involving proceeds from fraudulent sales through individual or corporate bank accounts they controlled with intent to conceal or disguise the nature or ownership of those funds. Court documents allege that since June 2023 these individuals shared or attempted to share illegal proceeds totaling about $1.5 million.
The charge of wire fraud conspiracy carries a sentence up to 20 years imprisonment plus supervised release and fines; money laundering conspiracy carries up to 10 years imprisonment plus supervised release with higher fines possible depending on transaction values involved. Sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the charges alongside Ted E. Docks from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Field Office; Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth B. Kosto is prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts enforces federal laws through prosecutions including national security threats and civil rights violations; serves all residents statewide; employs over 200 attorneys along with paralegals; maintains facilities at multiple locations including John Joseph Moakley United States Federal Courthouse in Boston; advances community initiatives related to civil rights protection—all as part of its role within the United States Department of Justice, according to its official website.