Case Information:
- Case Number: CV2025-008402
- Filing Date: March 7, 2025
- Court: Maricopa County
- Plaintiff: State of Arizona
- Defendant(s): Cameron Jones et al.
Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced a lawsuit against multiple individuals and companies accused of orchestrating a widespread equity-stripping scheme that defrauded Arizona homeowners facing foreclosure. The lawsuit, filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, alleges violations of Arizona’s Consumer Fraud Act (A.R.S. §§ 44-1521 to 44-1534) and Racketeering Act (A.R.S. §§ 13-2301 to 13-2315).
“For far too long, these bad actors have preyed on Arizonans in distress, stealing the hard-earned equity in their homes through deception and fraud,” said Attorney General Mayes. “These homeowners didn’t just lose their homes—they lost their best chance to rebuild their lives. Let me be clear: if you exploit homeowners in their most vulnerable moments, my office will find you, hold you accountable, and ensure justice is served.”
The lawsuit alleges that Cameron Jones, through his company Gazelle Investors, and Samuel Sutton, through his company Magnum Financial, led a network of businesses and individuals engaged in an organized real estate scam. The operation targeted homeowners in foreclosure by tracking foreclosure notices on county recorder websites.
Once foreclosure notices were posted, “door knockers”—recruited by the defendants—were dispatched within minutes to approach homeowners under false pretenses. These individuals posed as foreclosure relief specialists or representatives of charitable organizations, including a fabricated entity called “Arizona’s Helping Hands,” to gain homeowners’ trust and make them believe they were dealing with a legitimate charity.
After gaining entry into homes, the defendants used high-pressure tactics and deceptive contracts to strip homeowners of their equity. The contracts—often invalid under Arizona law—allowed the fraudsters to acquire properties far below market value while retaining broad rights to cancel transactions and flip the homes for significant profit. In some cases, fraudulent bankruptcy and probate filings were used to delay foreclosure auctions and maintain control over properties without homeowners’ knowledge.
The lawsuit also names title companies and law firms that allegedly facilitated the fraudulent scheme by processing sales despite clear red flags. The complaint alleges that these companies notarized and approved deeds even when homeowners received far below market value, allowed rapid flips between shell companies to conceal the fraud, and filed lawsuits against victims to force completion of transactions and evict defrauded homeowners.
“This scheme relied on an entire ecosystem of supposedly legitimate businesses to put a veneer of legality on blatant consumer fraud,” said Attorney General Mayes. “Title companies and law firms knew what they were doing, but they kept going because this scam generated millions of dollars—and they wanted their share.”
The lawsuit seeks civil penalties of $10,000 for each instance of consumer fraud, the dissolution of companies used as fronts for the fraud, and a permanent ban on the defendants engaging in real estate transactions in Arizona. Additionally, Attorney General Mayes is warning others engaged in similar equity-stripping schemes.
“If you are victimizing homeowners, we will stop you and recover what you stole,” said Attorney General Mayes. “If your business is helping these scammers, we will file suit against you seeking triple the amount you earned from the scam. The days of ripping off distressed Arizona homeowners are over—if you keep doing it, I will see you in court.”
Homeowners facing foreclosure should be extremely cautious of unsolicited offers claiming to save their homes. Arizonans who believe they have been targeted by an equity-stripping scheme are encouraged to report it to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office at www.azag.gov/consumer or by calling (602) 542-5763. – Source
Legal Disclaimer:
Lawsuits contain allegations that have not been proven in court. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case may result in dismissal, settlement, or further legal proceedings.
