MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man is facing multiple forgery charges in a quit claim scheme that allowed him to steal a Highland Heights house with a dollar and sell it for just under $20,000.
Christopher Peden, 45, is charged with two counts of forgery, two counts of theft of property, unlawfully drawing property transfer documents without interest in the property, and identity theft.
Police said Peden used a fake name, a fake notary stamp, and someone’s altered driver’s licenses to transfer the property in the 900 block of North Holmes to Scott Griffin for $1 back in February.
According to investigators, in May, a title company reported the fraud to MPD after they had processed the purchase of the property from a Scott Griffin and wired $19,703.58 to an FSNB account.
The title company informed police that they had been contacted by the true owner of the house, who advised them that she had not quit claimed the property to anyone.
It’s unclear whether anyone was living at the house on North Holmes. Zillow indicates that the property was last purchased in 2006 and is estimated to be worth over $76,000.
Police said bank records showed the FSNB account was opened by Scott Griffin using an altered Tennessee driver’s license that belonged to someone else and withdrew funds from several FSNB locations.
Investigators said Peden was caught on camera filing the deed at the register’s office and put his phone number on the documents.
He is being held on a $50,000 bond.