The number of FBI agents investigating mortgage fraud has more than doubled in the past two years, FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III said Wednesday.
Mr. Mueller told the Senate Judiciary Committee that the case load for mortgage fraud has increased in the past three years from 700 to 2,000 active investigations. He told the committee that 250 agents are investigating such cases, up from 120 in 2007.
Mr. Mueller said the mortgage fraud cases are “straining the FBI’s resources.”
“We have been shifting personnel within the criminal branch to the extent possible,” he said. “We have been using new analytical techniques to better identify trends and violators, and we have been building up existing partnerships to further enrich expertise and resources.”
Mr. Mueller said the bureau plans to hire 850 new agents in 2009.
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