In Seminole County, Florida, a suspect is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly filing forged property deeds to take ownership of homes belonging to deceased homeowners. Investigators say the suspect moved into one property, performed work around the home, and acted as if it were his, raising alarms among neighbors who knew the rightful homeowner had passed away. Their documentation, including photos and videos, helped build the case, which led to an eviction and arrest.
Authorities believe the suspect attempted similar tactics on other properties, including filing paperwork and quickly selling at least one home. Officials say deed fraud can be difficult to catch in time because recording offices are required to process large volumes of documents and cannot verify every signature at the point of filing. The case has sparked renewed concern across Florida about how easily criminals can manipulate property records, especially when a homeowner is no longer alive to defend their ownership.
This story was first reported by WESH Channel 10
