A Houston woman, Brandilyn Williams, says her legacy property on Reed Road was stolen through a sophisticated title theft scam. The land, which she purchased in 2011 to pass down to her son, was fraudulently transferred using a fake passport, fake ID, and a notary stamp from Austria. Williams discovered the theft a year later, describing the ordeal as “heartbreaking.” Her attorney noted how convincing the forged documents appeared, even including a purported notary tied to the U.S. Embassy in Vienna. The transfer recipient listed a Houston office address that led to disconnected phone numbers, and Williams has since filed suit against the recipient and Select Title for mishandling the transaction.
The FBI and Harris County officials warn that title fraud and land theft are becoming more common across Texas, particularly targeting vacant lots and properties owned by the elderly. In 2022, more than 11,700 real estate fraud victims nationwide lost $350 million to these schemes. Texas lawmakers recently strengthened home title laws by requiring photo ID at county offices, and some officials are calling for stricter notary rules and even fingerprint background checks. Federal investigators are now reviewing Williams’ case, while experts urge property owners to monitor county records and consider title monitoring services to protect themselves.
This story was first reported by Fox26 Houston
