Pat Romano said she was just trying to make a little extra money when she and a friend got lured into a real estate scam.

In the end, both Romano and her friend ended up with their credit ruined.

A three-month-long KCRA 3 investigation has uncovered millions of dollars of fraud in the local real estate market.

Seven individuals, including Romano, have filed lawsuits alleging fraud, conspiracy and blatant misrepresentations by their loan officer, mortgage broker and real estate agent.

KCRA 3 found the overwhelming majority of fraud involves the sale of 20 homes in Elk Grove. All 20 homes are now in default, many of them are in foreclosure.