Letitia James first to use recent NY Deed Theft Law against fraudsters

Letitia James, the Attorney General in New York state, has taken novel action under a recent New York deed theft law, bringing fresh charges against a duo for the alleged purloining of an older woman’s house. Letitia James has become the first Attorney General to make use of the recently established deed theft law, by charging two individuals who supposedly took an elder lady’s house in Queens. The lady was in hospice care when the alleged theft occurred.

Alluding to the culprits as Deepa Roy, a 68-year-old woman from Manhattan, and Victor Quimis, a 39-year-old man from Queens, Attorney General James accuses them of fraudulently signing paperwork to change Reuna Bherwani’s Kew Gardens Hills residential possession to their names without her approval. Their malicious intent can be deduced from the fact that the duo allegedly preyed upon an older widow when she was in hospice, aiming to seize her home, which she held ownership for close to 40 years.

Citing the importance of laws against deed theft, James expresses her determination to utilize these laws for the protection of New Yorkers and their homes. She was instrumental in advocating for these new laws, which arm her office with the power to prosecute such cases of deed theft. She states that her objective is to employ these laws as both a defense and an offense to thwart such heinous crimes and work towards returning the property to the Bherwani family.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, Bherwani began accepting in-home care from health care professionals at the house she shared with her deceased husband since 1986, starting in 2020. In 2021, amid her struggle with dementia, she assigned full power of attorney rights to her son, Kamal Bherwani, and her daughter-in-law, Sabita Bherwani, implying they were entrusted with the management of her affairs.

Post the demise of Mohan in 2022, Deepa Roy initiated her visits to the Bherwani residence under the guise of being a friend of Reuna Bherwani. Subsequently, Roy proposed to move into an available room in the house in 2024. However, Kamal and Sabita, who had the authority to manage Bherwani’s affairs, refused the proposal.

Despite this rejection, Roy and Quimis allegedly conspired to create a fabricated deed complete with Bherwani’s forged signature. Their audacious scheme involved transferring ownership rights of her property directly to themselves without any monetary consideration. They further advanced their scheme by using a stamp from a notary licensed in Nassau County, which bore an incorrect date, to notarize her signature.

In addition to the deed, it’s alleged that they employed Bherwani’s forged signature on several crucial real estate transfer documents. Crucial among these was the registration form for water and sewer services, necessary for every homeowner. The form was dispatched to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, another compelling proof of their nefarious deeds.

In continuation of their fraudulent schemes, Roy and Quimis supposedly made use of a second falsified deed in December 2024 to transfer ownership of the property to an entity named Hunter Studios. The duo forged a notary’s signature from Nassau County for this deed too.

Following this activity, Quimis then acquired a mortgage amounting to $552,500. He allegedly used the mortgage to clear debts already existing under his name. Subsequently, he channelled the residual fund of about $312,000 into the accounts under the name of Hunter Studios for personal consumption.

Deepa Roy is speculated to have received a payment amounting to approximately $15,000. This was revealed in a check labeled ‘Per agreement’, which potentially refers to the fraudulent activities conducted by Roy and Quimis.

The fraudulent activities conducted by Quimis and Roy were not identified until Kamal and Sabita Bherwani detected them in December 2024. Their discovery backdrop was the unexpected receipt of a letter from the Department of Environmental Protection, addressing Quimis as the new homeowner.

Quimis was detained on charges of his nefarious activities on August 4, with a number of serious offenses filed against him. These include four counts of Grand Larceny in the First Degree, Residential Mortgage Fraud in the Second Degree, Money Laundering in the Second Degree, and Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree. Additionally, he also faces two counts each of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree.

Deepa Roy, the other individual involved in this deed theft, is still on the run, not yet captured by the law enforcement authorities. However, she faces the same plethora of charges as Quimis, underpinning the gravity of their alleged ill-deeds.

While this particular case sets a precedent for the application of the new deed theft law, Attorney General James’s efforts reflect the commitment to uphold justice and protect the rights of the people. It is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of fraudulent actions, not only on the victims but also on the individuals who resort to such illegal activities.

Undoubtedly, this case will serve as an essential analysis for lawkeepers and other relevant stakeholders. It represents a momentous initial enforcement of the law against deed theft, a significant milestone in safeguarding the rights of homeowners in the state of New York.

It serves as a grim warning to those who may attempt to exploit the vulnerability of others for personal gains, indicating that the justice system stands ready to employ the full force of the law against such criminal offenses. As the investigation proceeds and trial commences, it remains a close observation for both, the public and lawmakers alike.