First Prosecution Under New York's Deed Theft Law Targets Scammers in Queens

New York's Deed Theft Law Prosecutions

• 🎯 New York's attorney general has charged two individuals under a new law specifically targeting deed theft.
• 💡 This marks the first prosecution under this legislation, aimed at combating a disturbing rise in housing scams.

The Victim and the Scam

• 🏠 The alleged victim is an elderly woman in Queens who was targeted while in hospice care.
• ⚠️ Scammers allegedly posed as family friends to her healthcare aides, forging documents to obtain the deed to her home.
• 💰 Beyond stealing the deed, the fraudsters also took out hundreds of thousands of dollars in mortgages and liens against the property.

Legal Ramifications and Support

• ⚖️ The two charged individuals, Victor Quimis and Deepipa Roy, face up to 25 years in prison under the new law with stiffer penalties.
• 🗣️ The attorney general emphasized the significance of home ownership and the severity of deed theft.
• 📞 The AG's office has established a hotline and website for potential deed theft victims and is conducting community outreach to inform homeowners.