PHILADELPHIA, PA — A Philadelphia man has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for orchestrating an elaborate scheme to fraudulently obtain titles to residential properties across the city, depriving rightful owners and the City of Philadelphia of significant financial assets.
United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Macangelo Tillman, 52, was sentenced on Thursday by United States District Judge Cynthia M. Rufe to 72 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Tillman was also ordered to pay more than $150,000 in restitution for his role in the fraud, which targeted properties slated for future sheriff’s sales.
According to court documents and statements presented at sentencing, Tillman engaged in a sophisticated scheme in which he prepared and filed forged deeds to unlawfully transfer ownership of at least 11 properties to himself or his associates. Once in control, the properties were either sold to unsuspecting buyers or rented out for profit.
Tillman manipulated the notarial process to further his scheme. He misled notaries, used inauthentic notary stamps, and in some cases paid notaries to falsely certify deeds without verifying the presence or identity of the supposed sellers. Counterfeit signatures were also used to make the deeds appear legitimate when recorded with the City of Philadelphia.
The fraudulent transfers not only undermined the rights of homeowners and their heirs but also resulted in substantial financial losses for the city. The scheme deprived Philadelphia of anticipated revenue from sheriff’s sales and outstanding property tax payments, funds that would otherwise have supported public services. Additionally, excess proceeds from these sales, which should have gone to rightful owners or their heirs, were instead siphoned away.
The case, investigated by the FBI and the Philadelphia Office of the Inspector General, highlights the vulnerability of property title systems to fraudulent activity. Assistant United States Attorney Anita Eve prosecuted the case.
Tillman pleaded guilty in March 2025 to five counts of wire fraud after being charged by indictment in December 2023. His sentencing marks a significant step in holding accountable those who exploit property systems for personal gain, often at the expense of vulnerable individuals and public resources.
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