Published by: Brooklyn Paper

Date: May 21, 2025

Scope: Citywide, including Crown Heights North, Prospect Heights & Weeksville

Brooklyn lawmakers have successfully pushed the City Council to allocate $5 million specifically for legal services and outreach programs targeting deed theft victims. This essential funding will help vulnerable homeowners—many of whom reside in our precinct—access legal representation, get deed fraud education, and defend their communities from scammers.

Our neighborhoods have been disproportionately targeted for deed scams, especially among seniors and long-standing residents. This funding means families in Crown Heights North, Prospect Heights, and Weeksville can now get the help they deserve—without the burden of legal costs.

Published by: The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office

Date: June 17, 2025

Scope: Crown Heights North

A woman was arraigned for allegedly forging deeds to steal a deceased homeowner’s property in Crown Heights. She allegedly filed a fake deed transferring ownership. While this particular case didn’t go through, it reveals how quickly scam-deeds could threaten local families losing track of vacant properties.

Stay aware—especially when neighbors move or pass away. Keep track of property activity and reach out for help if something seems suspicious.

Published by: The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office

Date: June 5, 2025

Scope: Crown Heights North / Prospect Heights

A disbarred attorney was convicted for manipulating short sale processes to steal deeds to 11 homes across Brooklyn, including in Prospect Heights and Crown Heights North. His decade-long scheme preyed on homeowners facing financial pressure, stripping them of their homes.

This case illustrates that even trusted professionals can exploit local residents. Staying informed and seeking swift aid can protect families in our neighborhoods.

Published by: The U.S. Sun

Date: January 17, 2025

Scope: This case occurred in Park Slope, which falls just south of the 77th Precinct boundaries.

A 90‑year‑old Park Slope homeowner was abruptly evicted after scammers transferred his deed without his knowledge—selling the home he bought in 1969 and leaving him mere days to vacate. Though this happened in Park Slope, the warning rings loud here: in neighborhoods like Crown Heights North, Prospect Heights, and Weeksville, long‑time residents—especially seniors—are just as vulnerable to sophisticated deed fraud. It’s a reminder not to assume it “can’t happen here”; instead, stay vigilant, check your paperwork, and report anything suspicious.

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

Homeownership in Weeksville, Crown Heights, and Prospect Heights has long symbolized legacy and stability—but a growing threat looms: deed theft. This crime targets seniors and longtime residents through forged documents that steal property right from under them. In August 2025, two suspects were indicted for stealing a dying woman’s home in Queens—a stark reminder that our communities must stay alert.

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.