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Ethics & Fraudmedium18% of exam

A borrower applies for a loan on a property they intend to flip but marks it as owner-occupied to get better loan terms. However, due to market conditions, they end up living in the property for two years before selling. This situation is:

Correct Answer

D) Still fraud for profit based on the original intent

Fraud determination is based on the intent at the time of application, not subsequent events. The borrower's original intent was to flip the property for profit while falsely claiming owner occupancy. The fact that circumstances later forced them to live in the property does not retroactively eliminate the fraudulent intent at origination. This remains fraud for profit under federal fraud statutes.

Answer Options
A
No longer fraud since they actually occupied the property
B
A regulatory violation but not fraud
C
Converted to fraud for housing due to actual occupancy
D
Still fraud for profit based on the original intent

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Fraud determination is based on the intent at the time of application, not subsequent events. The borrower's original intent was to flip the property for profit while falsely claiming owner occupancy. The fact that circumstances later forced them to live in the property does not retroactively eliminate the fraudulent intent at origination. This remains fraud for profit under federal fraud statutes.

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