It's happened to nearly 100 properties in the state this year, but just how does mortgage fraud work?

"You give me your money, and then I get your information, then I apply for other mortgages using your information, "Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney, Henry Zavislak explains.

Most of the people who get scammed don't even know about it until their house is under foreclosure. And, that's just the most popular instance of fraud, Zavislak says he's been tracking all kinds of money schemer's across Ingham, Jackson and surrounding counties.

Since Michigan is 10th in the nation for mortgage fraud, the big question is, how do you avoid it?

"The bottom line is, if the deal is too good to be true, it is," Zavislak says.

The Prosecuting Attorney says he completely understands how it's possible to quote fall under the spell of a con-artist because of the status of the economy and unemployment numbers, but Zavislak says it's important to remember the facts.

"You can't buy a house if you can't afford it," Zavislak says.

And, the Prosecuting Attorney wants to assure the people of Mid-Michigan that something is being done.

"We have a task force composed of the Jackson Police Department and the Michigan State Police."

And he says that Task Force's work certainly isn't complete.

"We frankly expect more warrants to be coming out," Zavislak says.