Harris County sues nine people over deed fraud scheme targeting 10+ properties
The Harris County Attorney's office filed two lawsuits against nine defendants accused of forging documents to steal and resell properties across the county.
Nine defendants named in Harris County deed fraud lawsuits
The Harris County Attorney's office has filed two lawsuits against nine individuals accused of running a fraudulent deed scheme targeting properties across the county, houstonpublicmedia.org reports.
Harris County Attorney Abbie Kamin named all nine defendants at a press conference on Wednesday: Mario Cavazos, Amelia Martinez, Maria Del Rosario Gonzalez-Garcia, Antia Martinez, Francisco Diaz Martinez, Francisca Rodriguez, Jorge Villatoro, David Garcia Garcia, Juan Guevara and David Carmona. Each is accused of forging paperwork to obtain property deeds, which they then sold or rented to unsuspecting buyers.
"I have a message to anyone out there committing this kind of fraud," Kamin said. "We are coming for you. We will not let you steal from our neighbors and the residents of Harris County."
Across the two lawsuits, the defendants are accused of fraudulently stealing at least 10 properties. Kamin described a clear pattern uncovered during the investigation: forged signatures, fabricated identities, and notaries who were deceived into stamping documents they should never have handled.
"They are targeting families of all different socioeconomic backgrounds," Kamin said. "And what our investigation found, once we started digging in and connecting the dots, is a clear pattern: forged signatures made up by identities, and notaries who were oftentimes tricked into putting their seal on documents that they never should have touched."
The investigation was triggered after several homeowners came forward. Among the most troubling cases, Kamin noted, were instances in which defendants used the names of deceased homeowners to transfer property before their heirs were even aware — often while those families were still grieving.
According to online court records, only one defendant — Francisca Rodriguez — has retained legal representation. Rodriguez's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and the remaining eight defendants could not be reached.
The Harris County Attorney's Office is urging anyone who believes they may be a victim of deed fraud to come forward. Kamin also called on homeowners to review their property and title documents and to ensure they have an up-to-date will filed with the probate court.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)