MESA, Ariz. (AP) -- A man has been charged with conning five Mesa-area residents out of $800,000 to take part in a real estate deal that he claimed would give investors a quick return on their money.

Phillip Gulley, 41, used his ex-wife's home as collateral and created false promissory notes to convince victims that he was trustworthy, authorities said.

Gulley, of Gilbert, was charged June 30 for felony theft and fraud schemes by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.

One of the investors - a Chandler woman - told police that she gave $40,000 to Gulley in November 2005 but was unable to contact him afterward and finally called authorities.

Gulley's other victims live in Gilbert but details of their cases have not been released by police.

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Information from: East Valley Tribune/Scottsdale Tribune, http://www.eastvalleytribune.com

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