According to The Sun, a University of Maryland School of Medicine professor returned from winter vacation in early January to find that strangers had moved into his Southwest Baltimore townhouse, changed the locks, and were presenting what he described as a fraudulent lease agreement.
Ze Wang called 911 on January 7 after discovering signs of forced entry at his Pigtown neighborhood home. He was unable to regain access to his property for 59 days, during which time the occupants allegedly demanded $5,000 in cash to leave, and upon their departure, contractors estimated the damage to the home would exceed $80,000 in repairs.
Wang’s ordeal has drawn renewed attention to Maryland’s legal framework surrounding squatters and fraudulent leases. Critics argue that current state law leaves property owners dangerously vulnerable, as police are often unable to intervene when an occupant presents any form of lease — even one the homeowner insists is fabricated. The issue has prompted ongoing debate among Maryland lawmakers over proposed changes to address these situations.
A Professor Locked Out of His Own Home
When Wang arrived at his townhouse after his winter break, he immediately realized something was wrong. His keys no longer worked in the locks. He told FOX45, “I was totally shocked.”…