Midland Real Estate Fraud Scheme Leads to First Arrest
Finn's Take· TL;DR- Courtney Lister arrested for real estate fraud scheme using forged documents and fake deeds to sell Midland properties illegally.
- Scam involved meeting victims at informal locations, notarizing documents without signatories present, bypassing legitimate title company procedures.
- Two additional suspects identified with warrants issued; investigation ongoing as authorities urge victims to contact Financial Crimes Squad.
Suspect Caught with Forged Documents
Courtney Lister, 50, was arrested March 13, in connection with a real estate fraud scheme that's been targeting victims since March according to Midland Police Department officials. Lister had forged documents on him when detectives made contact , marking a significant breakthrough in an ongoing investigation that has already identified additional suspects.
Properties in Midland were advertised online as investment opportunities where Lister prepared fake documents to sell the properties and accepted cash for forged deeds . The scheme involved a sophisticated operation that deliberately avoided legitimate real estate protocols to deceive potential buyers.
Elaborate Deception Tactics
Rather than conducting business through established channels, Lister met victims at local businesses instead of title companies where legitimate property sales typically occur. Documents were notarized without the signatories present , a clear violation of proper notarization procedures that should have raised immediate red flags for any legitimate transaction.
MPD said that detectives tracked down Lister around 7:30 p.m. April 13 with help from a victim . The cooperation between law enforcement and affected parties proved crucial in apprehending the suspect before additional victims could be targeted.
Multiple Charges Filed
Lister was arrested and charged with tampering with government records, forgery, theft, and real property theft . These charges reflect the serious nature of the alleged crimes, which involve both document fraud and property theft. During the investigation, two further suspects were identified, and arrest warrants were obtained for them on April 14, 2026, for similar charges as Lister's .
The breadth of charges suggests prosecutors believe they have evidence of a comprehensive fraud operation that affected multiple victims and involved various forms of document manipulation and property crimes.
Ongoing Investigation and Prevention
The department said the investigation is still ongoing, and any other potential victims of similar schemes are encouraged to contact the Midland Police Department Financial Crimes Squad . This case highlights the importance of working with established title companies and verifying all documentation through proper legal channels when purchasing real estate.
Property buyers should be particularly cautious of any transaction that avoids traditional real estate protocols or involves meeting at unusual locations. The arrest represents just the beginning of what appears to be a larger investigation into fraudulent real estate activities in the Midland area, with authorities expecting additional arrests as they continue pursuing leads and gathering evidence against the remaining suspects.