Notary sentenced to 57 months in prison for real estate fraud scheme
Memphis, TN – Shaneika Seymore, 41, of Memphis, has been sentenced to federal prison for her part in a real estate fraud scheme. Seymore previously pleaded guilty on April 16, 2025 to one count of mail fraud, one count of bank fraud, and one count of making a materially false statement. United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence on Friday.
According to information presented in Court, Seymore notarized multiple fraudulent quitclaim deeds which purported to transfer ownership from the true homeowners to Seymore and her co-conspirators. The deeds were filed with the Shelby County Register of Deeds unbeknownst to the true homeowners, who were victimized by the fraudulent property conveyances. In one instance, both supposed signatories on the notarized deed had passed away before the deed was signed.
In furtherance of the scheme, Seymore lied on a notary application that she filed with the Shelby County Clerk’s Office by stating that she had not previously been convicted of a felony, despite her 2019 felony conviction for theft. Over 30 properties in the Memphis area were fraudulently transferred in the scheme.
In addition, further information presented in Court revealed that Seymore forged her name on stolen checks which she deposited into her bank account and lied on an application for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.
On February 17, 2026, United States District Court Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Seymore to 57 months in prison and ordered her to pay $280,914.25 in restitution for her crimes. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, “Real estate fraud schemes victimize innocent citizens and can negatively affect financial institutions and the housing market. Wherever fraud occurs in the Western District of Tennessee, this office will be prepared to hold offenders accountable for such disturbing crimes of dishonesty and greed.”
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bartlett Police Department (BPD), and the Memphis Police Department (MPD).
Assistant United States Attorney William Bateman prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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