safety
Deed fraud is ‘growing crime wave’: What to know
Summary by The Detroit Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Karen Drew, Kayla Clarke , WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News
· July 20, 2026
· 2 min read
Two Metro Detroit women will spend years in federal prison after being convicted of stealing properties from Detroiters facing potential tax foreclosure. According to federal prosecutors, Zina Thomas and Jontae Jackson, stole around 100 properties in Detroit worth an estimated $6.4 million. Thoma...
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Summary created by The Detroit Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Karen Drew, Kayla Clarke, WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway According to federal prosecutors, Zina Thomas and Jontae Jackson, stole around 100 properties in Detroit worth an estimated $6.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The recent sentencing of two Metro Detroit women for stealing properties from Detroiters facing potential tax foreclosure has brought attention to the growing issue of deed fraud in the city. This crime wave has significant implications for Detroit's low-income residents, who are often the targets of these scams. The fact that one of the perpetrators was a director of a nonprofit organization intended to help homeowners, while the other worked in the Wayne County Treasurer's Office, raises concerns about the vulnerability of the city's most vulnerable populations. As the county offers alert programs to help property owners protect themselves, it is crucial for Detroit residents to take advantage of these services to safeguard their homes. The financial burden of recovering a stolen property, which can range from $20,000 to $80,000 in attorney fees, is a stark reminder of the need for proactive measures to prevent deed fraud.
About this story
Original reporting by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Two Metro Detroit women will spend years in federal prison after being convicted of stealing properties from Detroiters facing potential tax foreclosure. According to federal prosecutors, Zina Thomas and Jontae Jackson, stole around 100 properties in Detroit worth an estimated $6.4 million. Thoma...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Karen Drew, Kayla Clarke at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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