Rockland Realtor Forged Deed, Steals Home in First HETPA Conviction

NEW CITY, NY – Former Rockland County real estate agent Oscar Dais is facing justice after a brazen scheme to steal a homeowner’s property through forged documents. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced today that Dais pleaded guilty to forgery and a violation of the Home Equity Theft Protection Act (HETPA), marking the first-ever criminal conviction under the law.

Dais targeted Monique Hill, whose home was already in foreclosure after a mortgage default in 2016. In August 2021, Dais fabricated a copy of Hill’s deed, deceptively altering her name to “Monique Clark” – a former married name she hadn’t used in years. He then brazenly forged Hill’s signature, had it falsely notarized, and filed the fraudulent deed with the Rockland County Clerk’s Office, transferring ownership to a shell company he controlled. Crucially, Hill was in the Dominican Republic at the time and had absolutely no knowledge of the theft.

“Oscar Dais took advantage of a homeowner who was dealing with a foreclosure and stole her property without her knowledge,” Attorney General James stated. “No New Yorker should have to fear that the home they own will be stolen from them. I will continue to use every tool at my disposal to fight deed theft throughout our state and bring scammers like Oscar Dais to justice.” Hill reported the fraud to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) in October 2021 and immediately filed a civil suit, which remains ongoing.

The conviction under HETPA – a law Attorney General James strengthened in 2023 – is a significant win for homeowners facing predatory practices. HETPA requires full, transparent contracts for distressed property sales, provides cancellation rights for sellers, and prohibits deceptive tactics by buyers. Dais’s guilty plea ensures he will pay restitution to Hill and the fraudulent deed will be voided, restoring her ownership of her share of the property.

This case is far from isolated. Attorney General James has been aggressively targeting deed theft schemes across New York State. In August, she charged two individuals for stealing the home of an elderly woman in Queens. February saw charges filed against a Queens woman for defrauding her elderly neighbor out of both their home and funds. In October 2024, three real estate scammers were arrested in the Bronx for a scheme that netted over $250,000 and targeted a lifelong resident’s childhood home. And in April 2023, James pushed through legislation to bolster protections for deed theft victims, which were subsequently signed into law.

Anyone who suspects they are a victim of deed theft is urged to contact the OAG at 1(800) 771-7755, email deedtheft@ag.ny.gov, or file a confidential complaint. The OAG acknowledged the crucial assistance of the New York State Police, who provided the initial criminal referral, and also thanked the City of Pooler, Georgia Police Department and the Harford County, Maryland Sheriff’s Office for their contributions to the investigation.