What do scam artists gain from equity skimming?

Equity skimming is a fraudulent practice where scam artists take advantage of distressed properties and manipulate their ownership to extract cash, primarily through rent without intending to pay the mortgage or taxes. In this context, the correct choice highlights that scam artists gain a steady income from unpaid rent. They typically lease out the property to tenants, collect rent, and often neglect their responsibilities to the mortgage or other financial obligations tied to the property.

This method allows them to generate immediate cash flow without any intention to maintain the property or fulfill the terms of financing agreements. Understanding this practice is crucial for recognizing patterns of financial crime and protecting vulnerable property owners from exploitation.

While the other options suggest potential benefits linked to property ownership and transactions, they do not accurately reflect the primary motivation behind equity skimming, which is the unlawful acquisition of steady income through the collection of rent, often leading to significant financial loss for the original property owners.