Assuming the identity of a dead person was (is still?) a common form of fraud. People (usually relatives) could collect pension and social security payments sometimes for years before being discovered (if they ever were).

Cop stole house from dead man. Then cop sued company that rightfully bought house from dead man's heirs?

> Sguros [the cop] claimed he spent at least $214,000 of his own money on the home.

If he spent so much, why not just buy his own house? The house in the article is nothing special to look at.