Simas said three people were arrested last week in connection with the case: Rosa Conrado, 51, of San Bernardino; Jesus Flores, 42, of Baldwin Park; and Saul Amador, 22, of West Covina.
Conrado and Amador remained in custody Tuesday in San Bernardino County, Simas said, while Flores was released because of jail overcrowding. None of the three could be reached for comment.
Conrado is set to be arraigned Friday, Flores is scheduled for Jan. 9 and Amador is awaiting a date.
Arrest warrants have been issued for two other men: Juan Perez, 47, of Grand Terrace and David Giron, 43, of Ontario, Simas said. Neither could be reached for comment.
Charges were also filed against three women: Antonia Gonzalez, 65; Isaura Hernandez, 33; and Alejandrina Maldonado, 42. Simas said all three are believed to have fled to Mexico.
Simas noted that the group's fliers -- printed on goldenrod paper in yellow envelopes -- are still circulating.
Homeowners desperate to renegotiate their loans have become easy prey for swindlers, said Ginna Green, a spokeswoman with the Center for Responsible Lending.
Ironically, many lenders and legitimate advocacy groups have reported trouble making contact with struggling borrowers who need help renegotiating their loans. But con artists, Green said, may be more motivated to find these people.
"The more people are in foreclosures means the more people to pick on, and the more likely you'll be able to make money off of them. And people are just so seized up that they can't respond," she said.
Green said borrowers should keep in touch with their lenders and be wary of paying for services before they are completed.
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tiffany.hsu@latimes.com
