Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)
The FBI’s role in fighting fraud
While white-collar crimes like real estate fraud are not violent, they are not victimless. They can destroy a company, erode public trust, and, in this case, wipe out a person’s life savings.
What made this real estate fraud case significant is the number of victims and the lengths Lepka went to defraud buyers and investors, said Quillen.
The first complaint in the case came in December 2021 from a victim who signed a lease-to-own agreement with Lepka. Initially, the arrangement seemed legitimate: The buyer made a large down payment and subsequent monthly payments, while Lepka promised to apply those funds toward the mortgage. But when the original homeowner received foreclosure notices, it became clear the mortgage had never been paid.
“It was heartbreaking,” said Quillen. “The victims thought they were doing everything right—paying their monthly dues, following the contract—and they ended up losing everything.”
Quillen worked tirelessly to track down and interview victims. She built the case by reaching out to people who did not realize they had been defrauded yet.
“The hardest part of this case was identifying all the victims,” said Quillen. “It started out with just one victim and grew to 40.”
Lepka’s fraud spanned from 2018 to 2023. His scheme was not limited to lease-to-own agreements. In some cases, he re-leased the same property to multiple victims, collecting multiple down payments on the same homes. He also sought high-interest loans from community members, including those in his church and expressed to his victims that they should trust him because he was a practicing Christian.
Staying safe against frauds and scams
“With not just real estate fraud, but any fraud, you have to be aware,” said Quillen. “Visit fbi.gov and educate yourself on some of the most common frauds and scams and how to protect yourself. If something seems suspicious, do your due diligence and don’t take someone at their word.”
At sentencing, multiple victims spoke before the court to share the profound emotional and financial tolls the fraud had taken on their lives. Their testimonies helped secure Lepka’s 78-month sentence, which also included a restitution order of more than $2 million.
“For me, it’s about helping victims recover, recouping their losses, and finding justice,” said Quillen. “When you see people lose everything they worked for, it is a reminder of why I am so passionate about this work.
“The FBI is here to help everyone, regardless of race, religion, or economic status. If you think you’ve been defrauded, report it.”