Oklahoma Man Accused of Attempting to Steal $5.4 Million Mansion Using Fraudulent Deeds

An Oklahoma man has been arrested and charged with attempting to steal a $5.4 million mansion by using fraudulent deed documents. Antonio Moore, 29, was taken into custody on September 30 after allegedly trying to claim ownership of a 14,000-square-foot home in Gaillardia, an affluent, gated golf course community in Oklahoma City.

Prosecutors stated that Moore entered the Oklahoma County Clerk's Office on September 11 with what appeared to be a fake deed, claiming he had inherited the property. Courthouse staff found the deed suspicious and alerted the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office. The legal homeowner had also reported months of suspicious activity.

The homeowner had been contacted by his homeowner's association in April after Moore attempted to gain access to the community by falsely claiming inheritance. Despite being turned away by security, Moore allegedly returned to the neighborhood at least two more times. He reportedly began having mail delivered to the address and switched utility bills, including electric and water, into his name. The homeowner also received notification from Bank of Oklahoma that Moore had attempted to take out a loan against the property.

Moore made further attempts to file the fraudulent paperwork at the county clerk's office on September 25 and September 30. He was arrested that same day and charged with first-degree forgery and obtaining property by trick/deception or false representation/pretense. He is currently being held in the Oklahoma County Detention Center on a $25,000 bond. If convicted, Moore faces up to 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.

Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson III indicated that Moore's objective was likely to secure a loan against the property. "Most people worry about someone breaking into their home. They don't think about someone trying to steal the house itself," Johnson said, urging homeowners to remain vigilant about unusual mail, utility changes, or other suspicious activities. He also noted that while a fraudulent deed doesn't confer legal ownership, it can create a false appearance of ownership that is difficult and costly to rectify in public records.