Property fraud has exploded in Palm Beach County, with cases jumping from just four prosecutions in 2023 to 184 in 2025, according to data from the State Attorney’s Office.
The dramatic increase has prompted Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts Mike Caruso to call the theft of homes and lots an epidemic that could reach 800 cases this year.
Deed theft cases explode in Palm Beach Co., targeting seniors
“Just thinking about what my family goes through, I become emotional,” said Ekaterini Alexopolous, whose family has been fighting to reclaim their stolen Boca Raton property for three years.
Police say a man forged a family member’s name and created a fake driver’s license to obtain the title to land off Boca Raton Boulevard. The deed thief then sold the property for $360,000, leading to a civil case between the rightful owner and new owner…