top of page

Elderly Georgia homeowner forced out of his house, arrested after alleged fraudster claimed ownership: ‘Made us feel like squatters’

Writer's picture: Victor NwokoVictor Nwoko
Charmaine Allman says she felt like she was treated like a squatter when the DeKalb County Marshal's office removed her from her Georgia home last week.

An elderly Georgia homeowner faced eviction and arrest after an alleged scammer used fraudulent documents to claim ownership of their property in Stone Mountain, Ga., located 16 miles east of Atlanta.


Charles and Charmaine Allman, who had lived in the house for two decades, were shocked when officials informed them they no longer owned the property and had to vacate immediately. The couple described feeling like "squatters" as their belongings were thrown out like trash into the yard.


Charles Allman was arrested for Criminal Trespassing last week after he refused to leave the home he lived in with his wife for over 20 years.

The scam involved an anonymous individual falsifying a deed and submitting it online to Dekalb County, claiming ownership of the Allmans' home. The couple grew suspicious when they received letters confirming a second mortgage, despite having no such loan.


When Charles Allman refused to leave, citing rightful ownership, he was arrested on a Criminal Trespass warrant. His wife expressed dismay at his arrest, highlighting his age of 77 and lack of alternative housing options.


An anonymous man allegedly falsified a deed and submitted the documents online with Dekalb County to claim ownership of the Allman's home.
The couple's belongings were left scattered across the lawn after they were removed from the home last week.

Real estate attorney Richard Alembik noted the ease of forging and recording deeds due to the simplicity of e-filing. Notaries often fail to verify the identity of document submitters, exacerbating the problem of fraudulent property claims.



Police officers talk with Charmaine Allman outside the Stone Mountain home after she was forced out.

Even victims with evidence of rightful ownership can face eviction and fines if ordered by a judge. This issue isn't isolated, as evidenced by a recent case in Queens where a homeowner was arrested while trying to remove suspected squatters from her inherited property.


The new homeowner told the couple he had purchased the home from a foreclosure.
The couple have lived in the Stone Mountain home for over 20 years.

Comments


Top Stories

Stay up-to-date with the news straight to your inbox. Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Thank you for subscribing!

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2021 by Naidja Scoop. All rights reserved.

bottom of page