A seasoned con artist who previously swindled a $2 million home in Brooklyn by filing a fraudulent deed has been caught attempting the exact same scam on the same property, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Danny Noble, 55, of Baldwin, New York, was arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on charges of grand larceny, falsifying business records, and offering a false instrument for filing. Noble pleaded not guilty to all charges after being accused of illegally claiming ownership of 71 Carlton Ave., a three-story Fort Greene home valued at $2.2 million.
A Repeat Offender
This case is particularly shocking because it isn’t Noble’s first attempt to steal the same property. In 2019, he was sentenced to 4.5 to 9 years in prison by the same judge after admitting to running a nearly identical real estate fraud scheme that involved not only 71 Carlton Ave. but also eight other properties throughout New York City.
Assistant District Attorney Richard Farrell expressed disbelief and frustration over Noble’s repeated offense, calling his actions bold and reckless. “This is a property of which [Noble] previously admitted fraud, admitted fraud to you, and thinking that we wouldn’t pay attention — who knows — he did it again,” Farrell said, urging the judge to hold Noble on a $1 million cash bail.
The Latest Attempted Scam
According to prosecutors, Noble executed his latest scam in September 2023 by falsely transferring the title of the Fort Greene home before officially filing the phony deed on September 15, 2023. He then went a step further by filing a court motion to be declared the rightful owner of the property.
However, the scheme was uncovered in December 2023 when the actual homeowner discovered the fraudulent deed and reported it to authorities. Investigators quickly confirmed that the deed transfer was illegitimate, leading to Noble’s arrest and indictment.
A History of Fraud
Noble’s history with real estate fraud dates back several years. In his 2019 conviction, he and his co-defendant, Romelo Grey, admitted to an elaborate scam where they fraudulently transferred property titles of nine homes in Brooklyn and Queens from their rightful owners. Once they gained control of the properties, they rented them out or attempted to sell them for profit.
Noble pleaded guilty to criminal possession of stolen property and conspiracy charges for transferring the titles of seven Brooklyn homes, including four in Fort Greene. His accomplice, Grey, pleaded guilty to falsifying business records and received a 1.5 to 3-year prison sentence. At the time, prosecutors explained that the pair deliberately targeted homes where the legal owners did not live on-site or rarely visited, making it easier to forge documents without immediate detection.
An Unlikely Second Chance and a Bold Move
Despite receiving a lengthy sentence in 2019, Noble was released early due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His release, however, did not deter him from resuming his fraudulent activities. Less than four years later, he attempted to claim ownership of the very same property that had previously landed him in prison.
Justice Chun, who was already well acquainted with Noble’s criminal history, appeared visibly irritated by his latest offense. During the hearing, he noted Noble’s extensive record, which includes at least six felony convictions, and briefly considered remanding him outright due to the severity and repetitive nature of his crimes.
“He was convicted of stealing and defrauding the same property,” Chun remarked before ultimately setting Noble’s bail at $300,000 cash or a $2.5 million bond.
The Growing Problem of Real Estate Fraud
Noble’s case highlights a growing issue of real estate fraud in major cities like New York, where criminals exploit bureaucratic loopholes to forge property deeds and gain ownership of homes they do not legally own. Deed fraud has become an increasing concern, particularly in gentrifying neighborhoods where property values are rising and absentee owners may be less vigilant in monitoring title changes.
Scammers typically forge signatures, create fake identification documents, and file fraudulent deeds with the city register, sometimes even renting or selling the properties before the actual homeowners realize what has happened. In many cases, victims must go through lengthy and costly legal battles to reclaim their property.
Legal Consequences and Next Steps
With his prior conviction and the fact that he targeted the same property again, Noble is facing serious legal consequences. If convicted, he could receive a significantly harsher sentence than before, especially given the blatant disregard for the law he has demonstrated.
Noble is scheduled to return to court on April 23, where prosecutors are expected to push for a severe sentence to prevent him from committing further fraud.
Meanwhile, the real homeowner of 71 Carlton Ave. remains caught in the aftermath of Noble’s scam, dealing with the legal and financial headaches that come with undoing fraudulent transactions.
Final Thoughts
Danny Noble’s repeated attempts to fraudulently claim ownership of the same multimillion-dollar home underscore the audacity and persistence of real estate scammers. His case serves as a warning to homeowners about the importance of monitoring property records and staying vigilant against fraud.
Authorities continue to crack down on real estate scams, but as Noble’s case proves, some fraudsters are willing to take extraordinary risks in pursuit of their schemes. With his lengthy criminal history and repeated offenses, it remains to be seen whether this latest arrest will finally put an end to Noble’s fraudulent activities or if he will attempt another scam in the future.
Disclaimer – Our editorial team has thoroughly fact-checked this article to ensure its accuracy and eliminate any potential misinformation. We are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity in our content.
+ There are no comments
Add yours