Philly notary faces charges in scheme involving theft of 21 homes.

A Philadelphia notary public has been charged with multiple criminal offenses in relation to an alleged house theft scheme that impacted nearly two dozen properties in the city, officials reported on Wednesday. Gwendolyn Schell, 67, faces an extensive list of charges, including criminal conspiracy, identity theft, forgery, and tampering with records, amounting to nearly 250 counts—31 counts for each of the eight charges brought against her, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

The case unfolds against a backdrop of rising concern over property fraud in the area. As Assistant District Attorney Kimberly Esack articulated during a press conference, a notary public is traditionally seen as a safeguard against fraud. However, in this instance, the allegations suggest that Schell not only permitted the fraud but also actively facilitated and orchestrated the theft of numerous properties within her community.

The investigation traces back at least as far as 2018, when the Department of Public Records detected irregularities in several property deeds entrusted to Schell. Allegedly, she notarized documents that authorized the transfer of ownership of homes from their actual owners to third parties, often while the original owners were deceased at the time of these transactions.

Investigators unearthed further evidence indicating that many of the fraudulent documents featured backdated signatures, forged names of deceased property owners, and falsified valuation figures. Moreover, notarial stamps from Schell falsely suggested her presence at the signing of these documents by individuals who had already passed away.

In total, the scheme is believed to involve 21 illegally acquired properties. The investigation remains ongoing, with multiple arrest and search warrants still pending, as confirmed by officials on Wednesday. The peculiar nature of this case lies in the fact that notaries generally report instances of forgery or theft of their credentials, making Schell’s alleged participation in the crime particularly noteworthy.

House theft has been identified as a persistent issue in Philadelphia, one that local authorities have worked diligently to address over recent years. Initiatives such as the Fraud Guard system, announced in 2019 by Records Commissioner James Leonard, aim to combat property fraud by alerting individuals when their names are newly filed in real estate records.

The enrollment for this service is complimentary and can be accessed via the City of Philadelphia’s official website. Officials strongly encourage all property owners in the city to take advantage of this protective measure. In addition, incidents of house deed fraud can be reported directly to the District Attorney’s Office through their hotline.

District Attorney Larry Krasner emphasized a commitment to prosecuting those who engage in fraudulent property schemes, stating that with Philadelphia’s criminal population at a historic low, there exists a greater capacity to accommodate those found guilty of such crimes.