Mortgage brokers, mortgage agents, and mortgage lending

It is apparent to me that mortgage fraud crosses over into many professions. Not just those in the mortgage industry. I remember when I shared a story that involved a patrol officer who was part of a mortgage scheme. Now it is a lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina . He sent false loan documents to residential mortgage lenders in Upstate. I have a question, when loans are being processed, does anyone take the time to verify properties exist and applicants are real? Or are there so many people involved in the mortgage scam that they would not even bother checking. They are so easily being tempted to commit the fraud they think they will not get caught. I do not believe at this point you can be too careful.