By Oshadhi Gimesha, Lead Journalist | Reviewed and approved by Editor-in-Chief
LAKE CHARLES, LA – Danita Batiste, a Texas healthcare administrator, is fighting to reclaim her family’s 200-year-old Louisiana property after fraudsters impersonated her in a brazen identity theft scheme. The case, tied to an international crime ring, exposes alarming vulnerabilities in real estate transactions and underscores the urgent need for stronger safeguards.
Background
Danita Batiste inherited a residential lot in Lake Charles, Louisiana, from her mother in 2020. The property, which has been in her family for generations, holds deep sentimental value. “That land’s been in our family for 200 years and maybe further back,” Batiste told Realtor.com.
The house on the property was destroyed by Hurricane Laura, and Batiste planned to rebuild it as a rental income source. Despite receiving offers, she vowed never to sell, viewing the land as an inheritance for her children.
The Fraud
In December 2024, Batiste went online to pay property taxes and discovered the unthinkable: her lot had been sold for $45,000 cash the previous month. The buyer was Live Oak Insurance Co., a Louisiana-based firm whose CEO, Andrew David Hankins, had signed the deed.
The fraudsters used a fake ID, a stolen Texas notary stamp, and forged witness signatures to impersonate Batiste. Shockingly, they didn’t even use her current name, signing the deed as “Danita Leday,” her long-unused maiden name.
Batiste immediately contacted Hankins, who was equally stunned. “I’m the real DaNita Batiste,” she told him. “I did not sell it to you. I don’t know who did, but I didn’t.”
Investigation
The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed the case is under investigation. Authorities traced the $45,000 payment to a Bronx bank account opened with a forged Sierra Leone passport. Investigators suspect the scam is part of a nationwide pattern tied to an international crime ring.
“It’s going nationwide,” a source familiar with the investigation told Realtor.com®. “They’re looking for individuals who own property but don’t live at the property, or who are not in the same city.”
Industry Analysis
Real estate fraud attorney Marx David Sterbcow warns that such scams are becoming increasingly common. “When we shifted to remote closings and digital signatures, that absolutely put this on a rocket course for problems,” he said.
Sterbcow notes that absentee owners, elderly individuals, and heirs are particularly vulnerable. “She’s very fortunate that she found this so quickly,” he said of Batiste. “I’ve seen people absolutely destroyed by these scams.”
Impact and Implications
- For Property Owners:
- Absentee owners and heirs must remain vigilant. Fraudsters often target properties without mortgages or those owned by out-of-state individuals.
- For the Real Estate Industry:
- The case highlights flaws in title verification processes, urging stricter checks on notarizations and witness signatures.
- For Law Enforcement:
- Collaboration between local, national, and international agencies is critical to dismantling cross-border crime rings.
Preventive Measures
- Title Insurance:
- Covers legal fees to defend ownership claims.
- Monitoring Services:
- “Title lock” products alert owners to unauthorized changes.
- Regular Checks:
- Review property records annually, especially for vacant or inherited land.
- County Alerts:
- Many counties offer free title monitoring and automatic updates for property records.
What’s Next
- Ongoing Investigations:
- Authorities are probing links between the Louisiana case and other scams, including the Bronx bank account tied to forged documents.
- Legal Battles:
- Batiste continues to press for title reinstatement, potentially setting a precedent for similar fraud cases.
- Industry Reforms:
- Advocates push for mandatory notary verification upgrades and digital safeguards to combat identity theft in real estate.
Stay with News Zier for updates!
News Zier adheres to strict journalistic standards. All facts are independently verified, and opinions expressed here are solely the author's. Learn more about our editorial process here.