A proliferation of real estate scams prompts measure that would allow counties to raise fees to fund inquiries. Alarmed that real estate fraud is contributing to California's mortgage foreclosure crisis, the state Senate voted Thursday to allow counties to increase fees for filing property purchase documents to beef up fraud investigation units.

The former owner of a string of Washington area nightclubs and restaurants pleaded guilty yesterday to federal mail fraud and false-testimony charges relating to a series of real estate scams that netted him more than $3.8 million.

A host of real estate scams popular during the 1990s housing downturn are back this year and snaring unsuspecting homeowners and renters, say law enforcement and real estate officials.