LAS VEGAS -- A scam is hitting close to home in the Valley.

State officials arrested a Las Vegas man who they said tricked homeowners into giving him their deeds.

Officials said he ended up taking their money, while they were left in foreclosure.

State officials said they’re seeing more and more of these type of mortgage scams, and agents are going after them aggressively.

Matthew Marlon was arrested by the state. He and his partners are accused of scamming Valley families out of millions of dollars.

“It’s a very sad situation, because they're taking advantage of people at their worst time,” said southern Nevada deputy secretary Chris Lee.

Lee said Marlon would target homeowners who were anxious or desperate to sell their homes.

“Because of the economy and the housing market, people are in dire need,” Lee said.

Using an alias, Lee said Marlon told the homeowners he was going to pay their mortgage in exchange for the deed to their homes, but he would not pay the mortgage.

“They don't buy the home. They trick the homeowner into thinking they did,” Lee said.

“In the meantime, the persons committing the scam are either renting out these properties. If there's any equity left in the houses, they're taking equity,” Lee said.

He said after a couple of months, the bank would tell the homeowners their homes were going to be foreclosed.

“In incidents like this, you're hit over the head multiple times. You lose your house, you lose whatever equity you had in house, and on top of that, your personal credit is ruined -- basically unknown to the individual,” Lee said.

State officials warn there may be more scams and victims out there.

“There's a potential of unlimited amount of victims of this type of scam, of mortgage and real estate variations, related fraud, out there,” Lee said.

The state gave the following warning scenarios to avoid being a victim:

- If you are asked to sign a deed or other papers, and the seller promises to pay off your mortgage, but no escrow is opened; - If you are told a real estate agent or title company does not need to be involved; - If you are told the buyer can take over the payments.

Marlon faces 32 felony counts.

He's expected to be arraigned Thursday morning in district court.