There are never dead bodies as the result of mortgage fraud but there's a lot of financial bleeding.

Some economists say the nation will be hemorrhaging from the subprime mortgage crisis well into next year.

One McKinney neighborhood investigated by News 8 two years ago counts itself lucky for having survived.

With begonias in the flower beds and emerald green lawns, Hills Creek doesn't look like crime scene.

But Jocelyn Sapp will tell you mortgage fraud nearly knocked this neighborhood out.

"You just can't turn your back," she said.

There have been 12 fraudulent house sales on the street. Seven people have been indicted.

The weapon the crooks used was a document offering investors instant profits - up to $120,000 for participating in a fraudulent house purchase.

The house next to Edna Jo Forque sold to a Florida "investor" three years ago. It's been empty ever since. "I just couldn't deal with it," she said.

That's because the lawn went to weeds and the litter grew in the front yard. She and her neighbors had to keep the place up.

"That's going to have some negative impact on our resale values," said Larry Greene.

The numbers are grim.

One house went for $490,000 in a questionable sale. Now it's listed at $319,000.

One flipped for $558,000 but now it's listed more than $250,000 less.

Another fraud house sold at $575,000. It was foreclosed on at almost $300,000 less.

Five people have already signed voluntary confession plea agreements in the scam. Collin County may lead the state in mortgage fraud prosecutions.

There's good news and bad news in what happened here at Hills Creek. The bad news - mortgage fraud can have tragic consequences for a neighborhood. The good news - if you're going to try mortgage fraud, don't try it in Collin County.

E-mail bharris@wfaa.com.