Deed Theft in Our Backyard: Protecting Homeownership in the 77th Precinct

Published by: Queens Daily Eagle on Date: August 8, 2025
Date: August 1, 2025
Scope: Applies broadly to Crown Heights North, Weeksville, and Prospect Heights

A new indictment under New York’s updated deed theft law reveals just how vulnerable our communities are to property fraud. Two individuals were charged after illegally transferring ownership of an 88-year-old hospice patient’s home and taking out a $300,000 mortgage without consent. While this case happened in Queens, similar scams have quietly targeted long-time homeowners—especially Black seniors—in Crown Heights, Weeksville, and Prospect Heights.

Homeownership is more than property—it’s our legacy. We’re encouraging every resident to stay alert, check the status of their deed, and report anything suspicious.