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ronx District Attorney Darcel Clark and New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced the arrest of three individuals accused of swindling a Bronx woman out of her lifelong home through deed theft. Marcia Campbell, owner and broker of Extreme Realty, along with her husband Fred and business associate Frank Palmer, face multiple felony charges for allegedly using fraud to obtain a mortgage on the victim's property.

    Campbell is also charged with crimes related to three other real estate scams targeting immigrant families in the Bronx, including one where she allegedly stole $250,000. The trio was charged with grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, and falsifying business records.

    In announcing the arrests, James called the schemes "heartless" for targeting vulnerable individuals who trusted Campbell, a 37-year-old real estate broker with 4,200 clients. Deed theft has become a crime in New York after Assembly Member Landon Dais worked with James to enhance laws protecting homeowners.

    The new law makes deed theft felony grand larceny and gives the state attorney general increased time to prosecute cases alongside local district attorneys. Authorities allege that Campbell forged the homeowner's signature on documents to transfer the property to her shell company, 99 Patmor Ave. Inc., and took out a mortgage of $493,500.

    Campbell is accused of taking advantage of immigrant families in other real estate scams, including one where she allegedly stole $65,000 from an immigrant mother who paid for a fake investment on a multi-unit property. Campbell could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted and her future as a real estate broker is uncertain.

    Assembly Member Landon Dais said the new law is already having a local impact, protecting homeowners across the state, especially in the Bronx where this case took place. The attorney general encourages New Yorkers who believe they are victims of deed theft to call 1-800-771-7755 or email [email protected].