Harris County Attorney Cracks Down on Widespread Deed Fraud Scheme

Unmasking the Deed Fraud Scheme

• 💡 Alba Martinez is identified as the perpetrator of a widespread deed fraud scheme in Harris County, involving forged deeds, fake signatures, and fraudulent paperwork.
• 🎯 The scheme targeted at least 40 properties, impacting both families who inherited homes and unsuspecting buyers who paid cash for properties the seller did not own.
• 💔 The fraud shattered trusts, disrupted families, and stole dreams, particularly affecting non-English speakers and those seeking generational wealth.

Justice for Victims

• ✅ The Harris County Attorney's Office secured a final judgment against Alba Martinez, reestablishing original owners as rightful owners of the properties.
• 💰 A $1.2 million restitution order was granted for the duped buyers, with efforts underway to collect the funds from Martinez and her co-conspirator.
• 📌 An affidavit of judgment will be filed for each affected property to prevent future theft and inform title companies of the fraudulent history.

New Legal Protections

• 🚀 A new law championed by the Harris County Attorney's Office empowers county clerks to notify authorities of suspected fraud on deeds, allowing for holds on documents until investigation.
• ⚖️ Several new state laws, including those allowing victims to challenge fraudulent deeds without filing fees and requiring notification of property owners when documents are filed, provide stricter protections.
• 📸 Mandated photo ID for documents filed with county clerks is a new measure to combat real estate fraud.

Community Vigilance and Reporting

• 🔍 The "Stay Scam-Free" initiative is an outreach program educating residents on recognizing and reporting scams to prevent damage.
• 📢 The public is urged to report any suspected fraudulent transfers to scamfreehgc.com to aid in investigations.
• 🤝 Partnerships between realtors, attorneys, notaries, and neighbors are crucial for staying alert and questioning anything that looks suspicious.

Ongoing Efforts and Accountability

• 📈 The Harris County Attorney's Office is committed to building internal capacity to combat real estate fraud at a larger scale.
• ⚠️ The case file is being sent to the District Attorney's office for potential criminal charges against Martinez and her partner.
• 🔍 Investigations are ongoing for other individuals involved in similar fraudulent activities, with a focus on underserved communities.