investors set to dump properties, page-14

"Yep they're the made up losses, not real losses."

That may be your twisted view but it is not reality. You can fully depreciate an item and get the tax benefits of that item for many years to come (generally well beyond the depreciate life). If you structure your loans correctly you can pay interest in advance creating a loss now. Plus there are a number of other things you can do all of which reduce your taxable income.