Lawyer and Accomplice Charged in Multi-Million Shekel Real Estate Fraud Scheme

The State Prosecutor's Office has filed an indictment against attorney Shlomo Ben Haim and Haim Buchris, who are accused of perpetrating a sophisticated real estate fraud scheme valued at over 2 million shekels. Ben Haim, a real estate lawyer, allegedly exploited his access to official state databases to facilitate the plot, aiming to transfer ownership of a valuable property in Kfar Saba and pocket the proceeds.

According to the indictment, Ben Haim forged powers of attorney and other legal documents. He then fraudulently registered a mortgage on the property in favor of a company owned by a third party and began marketing the property to potential buyers. To deceive the buyers' attorneys, Ben Haim allegedly recruited Buchris, dressed him up, and filmed him impersonating the property owner signing a sales contract, in exchange for a promised payment.

The buyers subsequently signed the contract, and a caution note was registered in their favor at the Land Registry. They were instructed to transfer 2.2 million shekels in cash. The scheme was thwarted at the last minute when a real estate agent contacted the original property owner to inquire about the sale. The owner, unaware of any transaction involving his property, immediately filed a police complaint, preventing the transfer of funds.

During the investigation, Ben Haim also allegedly instructed Buchris not to identify himself in the impersonation video, leading to an additional charge of obstruction of justice. Both defendants face charges including aggravated fraud, impersonation to defraud, forgery, and using forged documents. Ben Haim is also charged with obstruction of justice.