· Jingletree (aggregating New York Post coverage)
Woman Accused in Queens Deed Theft Case Now Says Her Alleged Partner Forged Deeds to Take Her Home
A deed-theft case in New York City has taken an unusual turn. According to Jingletree, which aggregated New York Post coverage, a woman accused of helping steal someone else's house is now claiming she was a victim of the same kind of scheme.
What happened
Manhattan resident Deepa V. Roy, 69, and Victor Quimis, 40, were indicted on deed-theft charges in August 2025. Prosecutors allege the two teamed up to steal the Kew Gardens Hills, Queens home of Renuka Bherwani while she was in hospice care. The case describes Bherwani as a dying widow.
Roy is now suing Quimis, her alleged co-conspirator. She claims he forged deeds to seize her own property in Flushing, which is valued at $817,000. The claims in the lawsuit are allegations, and the criminal charges against both people are accusations that have not been proven in the reporting provided.
Why it matters to homeowners
Deed theft means using fake documents, forgery and lies to illegally assume ownership of someone else's house. It can target anyone, but homeowners who are seriously ill, elderly, or not living in the property can be especially exposed, because they may not notice a change in the record for some time.
The case also shows how complicated these disputes can become. Even when a deed has been filed, ownership can end up contested in both criminal and civil court.
What you can do
- Check your deed record. Look up your property on your county recorder or city register's website from time to time and confirm the owner of record is you.
- Sign up for alerts. If your county offers a property fraud alert service, enroll. It can notify you when a document is filed against your property.
- Watch your mail. Unexpected letters about your mortgage, taxes, liens or transfers deserve a prompt look.
- Keep an eye on vacant or inherited property. If a relative is in hospice, a care facility or away for long stretches, ask someone you trust to monitor the record.
- Act quickly if something looks wrong. Contact your county recorder's office and local law enforcement, and consider speaking with a real estate attorney.
- Be careful with signatures. Never sign documents you do not fully understand, and be cautious about notarizing anything with unfamiliar parties.