A man in Georgia is accused of pretending to be his missing brother, with the aim of selling the brother’s home and defrauding various parties involved.
Kenneth Lee Harris allegedly used the identity of his brother, Ted Harris, to sell a mansion located in Powder Springs for $199,000. This information was reported by local news outlet WSB TV, referencing an arrest warrant.
According to reports, the 62-year-old successfully finalized the sale of the three-bedroom home on April 7 and significantly lowered the price by $185,000.
Concerns from Ted Harris’ family emerged shortly after the sale when they realized their relative’s home had been sold just three days later, on April 10.
It’s worth noting that Ted Harris has been out of contact since January, but his family mentioned that this lack of communication wasn’t unusual.
A missing persons report was filed once Ted’s relatives found out about the home sale.
While Ted was absent, Kenneth allegedly masqueraded as him, fooling both potential buyers and real estate agents, even showing Ted’s driver’s license during discussions.
Neighbors expressed surprise at the situation, stating that they were misled because the two brothers bore a strong resemblance. One neighbor, Julia Davis, remarked, “I thought it was his brother. He looked a lot like him. I thought it was him.”
Residents only realized something was off after noticing professional landscapers tending to the property, something Ted Harris took pride in maintaining.
Moreover, they observed a “For Sale” sign that was placed in the yard but was quickly taken down before the official listing.
It remains unclear whether the home sale was reversed after the fraud was brought to light.
Kenneth Harris has been charged with identity theft and mortgage fraud, currently held in the Cobb County Jail without the possibility of bail.
As for Ted Harris, authorities have not disclosed any updates regarding his status or when he was last seen, and no charges have been made related to his disappearance.
