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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

The Oldest Trick in the Book

HOUSTON (CN) - Father-and-son fraudsters tricked a man "who believed he was signing a receipt for a package" into signing a quitclaim deed for his Houston gas station, the man claims in court.

Syed Ali Akbar sued Sean Michael Brannon Sr. and Jr. in Harris County Court.

Akbar claims he recently filed for bankruptcy and got the tax debt discharged on his business property, a Shell gas station on Houston's busy Westheimer Road.

"Plaintiff and the plaintiff's attorney informed the defendants on numerous occasions that they were prohibited from contacting plaintiff and were required to direct all communication to the attorney," the complaint states.

"Nonetheless, defendants sent a process server to plaintiff's home, where such agent threatened plaintiff with threats of illegal collection and civil actions, namely demanding immediate payment for the delinquent tax levy of $8,968.65 or avoiding civil litigation by signing the Quit Claim Deed."

Akbar claims the Brannons' fraud violated a bankruptcy stay order.

He seeks punitive damages for deceptive trade, three counts of fraud and negligent misrepresentation.

He is represented by Anis Damani of Houston.

Follow @cam_langford
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