NY Attorney General Letitia James recently announced the arrest of a man who is accused of stealing the deed to a 92-year old woman’s home. This theft involved taking advantage of the victim’s diminished mental state, tricking her into signing away her home using forged documents, among other crimes. The arrest highlights the ongoing issue of deed theft, and in particular the ways in which dishonest people will take advantage of the elderly and other vulnerable populations.
Man Accused of Stealing Home From 92-Year Old Woman
According to the indictment, the suspect was charged with 23 separate offenses, including deed theft, forgery, and financial fraud after arranging to steal the property of a 92-year old woman from East Flatbush in Brooklyn. These charges relate to a scheme that went from 2022 to 2024, where the suspect allegedly created fraudulent documents to have the property transferred to his ownership, which he then rented out to others. He also reportedly stole $148,000 from the victim’s personal accounts, and an additional $20,000 from her ex-husband’s pension.
The Details of the Case
Allegedly, starting in 2022, the suspect was introduced to the victim, and soon thereafter began creating forged and fraudulent documents that claimed to transfer ownership of the property to himself. He then rented out the property to several others, including his sister, and accrued about $70,000 in rent. He also began draining the victim’s bank accounts to pay for his personal expenses, including credit card bills and college tuition.
He was able to do this, in no small part, due to the victim being an elderly woman with advanced dementia. As a result, she had no idea what she was signing, or what was being done with her home, until she was effectively forced to live in a single small room in her own home.
The Growing Problem of Deed Theft
Sadly, cases such as these have become increasingly common in recent years. Elderly and disabled homeowners are at the highest risk of being the target of deed theft, with these crimes disproportionately targeting black and brown neighborhoods. This can not only result in a massive loss of personal wealth and property, it can also deprive people of homes they may have had for decades.
What You Should Do if This Happens to You
Deed theft is a serious problem, but fortunately you do have some legal options available to you. That is why you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling deed theft cases, who can help you build a legal strategy that suits your needs. That way, you can protect what is rightly yours from con artists who might try to fraudulently take it from you.
If you or a loved one are dealing with legal issues related to real estate law, or you are dealing with any other issue related to Elder Law, you will need specialized legal advice. The attorneys at Hobson-Williams, P.C. are skilled in all aspects of Elder Law and real estate law, and are dedicated to representing clients with diligence and compassion. To speak to an attorney or to schedule a consultation, call 866-825-1LAW.
