Brooklyn has become the epicenter of New York’s deed theft crisis, with more than 1,500 cases reported in the borough over the past decade. Scammers are targeting elderly and long-time Black and brown homeowners in gentrifying neighborhoods, forging documents, and stripping families of generational wealth. Local leaders, including Borough President Antonio Reynoso and members of the City Council, are sounding the alarm, describing deed theft as one of the most predatory crimes threatening New Yorkers today.
Victims often spend years in costly, draining legal battles to reclaim their homes, while scammers exploit loopholes in outdated property laws. Elected officials are now demanding urgent action, pushing for millions in funding to help families fight back against fraud and raising awareness of the growing threat. Brooklyn’s surge in cases highlights how easily homes can be stolen on paper, destabilizing entire communities in New York.
This story was first reported by ourtimepress.com
