Harris County officials have filed a lawsuit against individuals accused of orchestrating a property deed fraud scheme that targeted homes in the Trinity Gardens area, resulting in the illegal sale of real estate to unsuspecting buyers.

Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee

 

According to the lawsuit filed by Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee, the defendants allegedly forged documents and falsified property ownership records to transfer ownership of homes that did not belong to them. The scheme reportedly involved the submission of counterfeit deeds to the county and the subsequent sale of these properties to buyers unaware that the transactions were fraudulent.

Investigators believe the individuals behind the operation specifically targeted properties owned by deceased individuals. In many instances, the rightful heirs were unaware of their inheritance, creating a loophole exploited by the perpetrators. One case highlighted in the suit details how a forged deed was filed just two days after a property owner's death.

The County Attorney's Office has seen a rise in similar fraud cases in recent months and is pursuing aggressive legal action to curb what it describes as a growing threat to property owners in Harris County. The current lawsuit seeks to nullify the fraudulent transactions and restore ownership to legitimate title holders wherever possible.

In addition to reversing the sales, the county is requesting civil penalties against the defendants. Under state law, each violation could result in fines up to $10,000, with penalties increasing to as much as $250,000 in cases involving elderly victims.

Officials are urging residents to stay vigilant and report any suspected property fraud. Individuals who believe they may have been affected are encouraged to file a report at ScamFreeHC.com.