Devin my lending business has a very Narrow niche our specialty is the 200k under BRRR that all these BP members want for rentals in the mid west.. we put them into title and let them refi or flip..

By your own admission (your post title) you came to the conclusion this was Fraud.

Do I even need to have a title company involved?

This includes getting comps or an appraisal to verify value, lenders title insurance,  a proper note and mortgage,  and you must be listed as a mortgagee on the borrowers property insurance policy.Our lending criteria in our lending business caps our loans at 65% of the after repair value and we control all rehab funds as we hold them in escrow. 

The TITL CO , also should have known, they need the " letter" from EACH city indicating the POS was closed, 

Set up a Land trust and take title in name.

The percent distribution of 1/2/3/4 guest stays are almost identical between the 2 years. 2 guest stays make up 2/3s of my stays, with 3 and 4 guest stays being in the single digit percent. 

The buyers want "An ALTA Owner's policy of title insurance without standard exceptions" checked on the contract instead of "An ALTA homeowner's policy of title insurance."  

I am not listed on the mortgage but am listed on the title of the home.

I just had Stewart title ( my favorite escrow company) do some research on 5 addresses.