Man Sentenced In Fraud Scheme Involving Property For Sale

ABERDEEN, MD — A Harford County man who helped in an attempt to sell a piece of real estate in West Virginia that he didn't own and swindle the potential buyers out of their money has been sentenced in the case, prosecutors said.

Duane Dixon Jr., 35, of Aberdeen was found guilty following a trial in January 2025 of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud.

The jury heard testimony that as part of the conspiracy, an individual impersonating a landowner contacted a real estate agent in Winchester, Virginia, claiming to have authority to sell a parcel of real estate located in Hampshire County, West Virginia. Although having no legal rights to the property, the imposter listed the property for sale through the agent, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

As part of the fraud, deposit information for a bank account belonging to Dixon was emailed to a real estate closing agent in a move to claim the proceeds from the fake transaction. The imposter, pretending to be the legal landowner, continued to email the real estate closing agent to have funds wired to Dixon’s bank account, according to prosecutors.

However, an undercover employee of the FBI responded to the emails, prompting Dixon to lie repeatedly about his relationship with his co-conspirator and his knowledge of the transactions. According to the prosecution, Dixon’s false statements were given so that they could wrap up the fake transaction.

Dixon was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for his role in the conspiracy. He will serve three years of supervised release following completion of his prison sentence.

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