Some benefited from scheme

Tom Dirnberger, Scott County's recorder of deeds, said some parties benefited from the housing fraud scheme. Some people sold their properties for more than they were worth. "Plus, they sold numbers of them, not just one or two," Dirnberger said.

Dirnberger's office has also benefited.

All in all, Dirnberger estimated $19,000 in fees to the state and more than $40,000 to Scott County.

Most of the foreclosures now have a preforeclosure appraisal, so appraisers are making about $60,000 total, Dirnberger said.

There are also city of Sikeston fines, attorneys in Scott County that are handling the cases, and title companies.

-- Michelle Felter