A Long Island man on Tuesday was arraigned on an indictment for allegedly filing a fraudulent deed in an attempt to claim ownership of a three-family house in Fort Greene valued at more than $2 million.
Danny Noble, 55, of Baldwin, N.Y., was arraigned on charges including first-degree grand larceny, first-degree falsifying business records, and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, according to a press release.
According to the indictment, between Sept. 1 and Sept. 15, 2023, Noble allegedly transferred the title to 71 Carlton Ave., a three-story house in Fort Greene, into his name. The fraudulent deed was recorded on Sept. 15, 2023. He then allegedly initiated a quiet title action in Brooklyn Supreme Court, seeking a judicial order declaring himself the rightful owner. The legitimate owner, 71 Carlton LLC, discovered the scheme and reported it to the Brooklyn District Attorney's office in December 2024.
“Real estate fraud is a serious threat to homeowners, and in Brooklyn, we will not tolerate scammers who try to steal property through deception. This alleged scheme was uncovered thanks to the rightful owner’s vigilance, and we will now seek to hold the defendant accountable," said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.
The property had previously been illegally transferred in 2010, according to the DA’s office. As part of the 2023 scheme, Noble allegedly filed false documents with the New York City Department of Finance, Office of the City Register, which maintains land records and property filings in New York City.
The DA’s office urged homeowners to take precautions against deed fraud, including ensuring that the NYC Department of Finance has their correct address, designating a trusted individual to receive property notices, and registering for automatic notifications about deed or property record changes.
Noble was held on $300,000 cash bail or a $2.5 million bond and is set to return to court on April 23, 2025.
