Fantasy Land Mortgages

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WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge has sentenced two North Carolina men for their roles in a $6 million mortgage fraud scam.

The Star-News of Wilmington reports Wednesday that Daniel Rooks was sentenced to 7 1/4 years in prison, while Alford Rooks received five years of probation. Both Whiteville men pleaded guilty June 1 to conspiracy charges.

Federal prosecutors say Daniel Rooks put trailers on land he bought and subdivided and sold to poor people, lying about the costs. Stanley Williams Jr., a mortgage broker, then falsified loan applications.

Prosecutors said when buyers foreclosed, Williams bought the properties back, and the scam started anew.

Williams and two others — an appraiser and a paralegal — were sentenced in October for their roles in the six-year scam.