A dozen people in Brooklyn are facing charges in connection with real estate and mortgage fraud schemes, one of which targeted an elderly retiree.

Reginald Leak says a mortgage dealer tricked his father, retired firefighter Ernest Leak, into handing over important information, which he then used to take out a reverse mortgage in his name. The suspect allegedly made off with $350,000.

Leak's son says he thought there was something strange going on with his father's property, but by then it was too late.

The defendant in this case has been charged with second-degree grand larceny as a hate crime since he allegedly targeted Leak because of his age.

If convicted, the dealer could face up to 25 years behind bars.