Police Raid Sea Cliff Home in Deed Fraud Case

San Francisco officers searched a 32nd Avenue property tied to a civil lawsuit over allegedly forged property deeds.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Property Crime

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a symmetrical civic building facade with a still flag and closed door, evoking municipal oversight of property records. — San Francisco police searched a Sea Cliff home and made arrests Friday in a civil case alleging forged deeds were used to take over a roughly $4.4 million property. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you trust your local government to address property fraud and squatting?

San Francisco police began a search and made arrests at a home at 250 32nd Ave. in Sea Cliff at about 7:30 a.m. Friday. The raid follows a September civil lawsuit by City Attorney David Chiu accusing Brandon Aadee and Diana Peng of using forged deeds to claim ownership of the roughly $4.4 million property.

Why it matters

The case centers on the alleged use of forged and altered deeds to take control of valuable property, with the city seeking to void the transfers and recover unpaid taxes. For San Francisco residents, it highlights how deed fraud can affect property ownership and municipal tax revenue.

Police said the investigation is active and the SFPD had not confirmed how many people were taken into custody Friday morning. The city's civil case seeking to void the disputed deeds is pending, and the court has not ruled on the allegations.

The players

David Chiu

David Chiu is the San Francisco City Attorney who filed the civil lawsuit seeking to void the disputed property deeds.

San Francisco Police Department

The San Francisco Police Department is the city's primary law enforcement agency responsible for the Friday search and arrests.

The details

Officers reportedly broke down the front door and removed people and evidence from the house, according to a neighbor. The city alleges that Aadee and Peng recorded eight deeds transferring the property between them, at least five of which allegedly contained forged notary signatures, fraudulent stamps, or altered language.

September: City Attorney David Chiu filed the civil lawsuit against Aadee and Peng.
October: The Board of Supervisors authorized the city treasurer to auction the home over unpaid taxes.
Friday, 7:30 a.m.: Police began the search and arrests at 250 32nd Ave.

Legal Context

The city is using a civil lawsuit to void allegedly fraudulent deeds while also pursuing a treasurer auction authorized by the Board of Supervisors to recover more than $340,000 in unpaid property taxes. This combined approach mirrors how California cities pursue delinquent tax recovery alongside challenges to disputed title.

Residents near 32nd Avenue in Sea Cliff may see continued police activity while the investigation proceeds. Property owners in San Francisco may find the case a reminder to monitor deed records for unauthorized recordings.

The takeaway

Property owners can reduce exposure to deed fraud by regularly checking county recorder records for their parcels. Unexpected or unfamiliar recorded transfers warrant prompt review with a title professional or attorney.