Philadelphia has received 152 reports of deed fraud so far in 2026, nearly matching the 159 reports filed during all of 2025, according to the city’s Department of Records.
The numbers highlight concerns about a type of property theft that can leave homeowners and their families fighting for years to reclaim their homes.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner believes the problem is more widespread than the reported cases suggest.
“I think deed fraud is going on in a really big way, but there is a small number of cases that are being caught,” Krasner said.
For Elaine Garcia, the issue became personal after the death of her older brother, Frank Garcia, in 2022.
“It wasn’t his time to go,” Garcia said.
Years before his death, Frank Garcia created a will stipulating that his sister would inherit his belongings, including his Philadelphia home on North Randolph…
THE TUTUKA POWER STATION PROCUREMENT FRAUD (ESKOM)
Date: August 29, 2025 Perpetrator: Jessie Phindile Kubheka (Supplier Director)
Case Description: As part of the ongoing “cleaning up” of Eskom, Jessie Phindile Kubheka was sentenced to 12 years (with 5 years suspended) for defrauding the Tutuka Power Station. The case involved a sophisticated procurement syndicate that exploited Eskom’s emergency repair protocols. Kubheka’s company was contracted to deliver three high-specification containers for the power station. Only one container was ever delivered, and even that single unit failed to meet the required safety and technical specifications.
Despite the lack of delivery, Kubheka issued grossly inflated invoices, defrauding the utility of approximately R2.6 million. The Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court ordered Kubheka to repay the full amount. This case is significant because it marks a shift in Eskom’s strategy toward “naming and shaming” suppliers and pursuing full asset recovery. It serves as a stark warning to contractors that the 2026 climate of “Zero Tolerance” for state-owned enterprise (SOE) fraud is backed by active judicial enforcement.
Link to Original: Eskom Official – Tutuka Fraud Sentencing