Graceland, the hallowed home of Elvis Presley and a pilgrimage site for millions of fans, was nearly stolen in plain sight. In a bizarre and shocking scheme, fraudsters attempted to foreclose on the Memphis mansion by forging documents that claimed Elvis's only daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, had taken out a $3.8 million loan and failed to pay it back.
Had it succeeded, the iconic white-columned estate where Elvis, Lisa Marie, and other members of the Presley family are buried, could have been auctioned to the highest bidder. But thanks to the swift legal action of actress Riley Keough, Lisa Marie's daughter and sole heir, the plot was exposed before it could bring real harm.
The Players Behind the Plot
The scheme centered around a company called Naussany Investments & Private Lending LLC, a name that now appears to have been fabricated for the sole purpose of this scam. The group filed what appeared to be official documentation in Shelby County Court in 2024, asserting that Lisa Marie had borrowed millions from them and used Graceland as collateral.
The documents bore what looked like Lisa Marie Presley’s signature and other notarized statements. But Riley Keough and her legal team cried foul. They claimed the signatures were forgeries and that the loan never existed. The court agreed. A Tennessee judge halted the foreclosure, ruling that the documentation was fraudulent.
As investigations unfolded, suspicion turned toward a Missouri woman named Kimberly Moore. In early 2025, Moore was arrested and charged with identity theft, filing false documents, and fraud in connection with the attempt to seize Graceland. Federal prosecutors allege that Moore orchestrated the scheme to take advantage of Lisa Marie’s death and the transition of estate ownership to her grieving daughter.
Grieving Families Are Common Targets
While the Graceland case is high-profile, the crime behind it is far too common.
Scammers frequently target grieving families, especially when large assets like real estate are involved. In the days, weeks, and months following a loved one’s death, estates can become vulnerable to exploitation. Unfiled deeds, unknown debts, and confusion about titles can all create opportunities for bad actors to strike.
"When someone passes away, there is often a window of vulnerability," says Britt Stouffer, managing attorney of Stouffer Legal in Maryland. "Families are in mourning. Legal paperwork is in flux. And scammers know exactly when to pounce."
How to Protect Your Legacy and Your Family
As estate planning attorneys, we see this kind of risk every day—not just in celebrity estates, but for regular families trying to do the right thing. What happened to Riley Keough and the Presley estate could happen to any family with valuable property and an unclear or unmonitored estate plan.
Here’s what we recommend:
• Title Monitoring Services: These services aim to alert you if someone attempts to fraudulently transfer or modify your property's title. While title monitoring can provide early warnings, it doesn't prevent title fraud. You can periodically review the online public records for your property to check for signs of fraud.
• Clear, Centralized Estate Planning: Wills are only part of the picture. If Graceland had been held in a properly funded trust, it may have been harder for a scammer to make a claim against the property. Trusts often offer an additional layer of legal shielding.
• Secure Original Documents: Keeping your original deeds, wills, and trusting documents in a secure, known location—like with your estate attorney—can provide a clear trail of truth if any document is ever questioned.
• Talk With Your Family: Lisa Marie likely didn’t anticipate dying so young, and like many parents, she may not have discussed the full extent of her wishes with her children. Having honest conversations with your heirs during life is one of the best ways to avoid confusion—and litigation—later.
• Use Professionals Who Understand Probate & Property Law: Riley Keough had the benefit of a skilled legal team. Many families don’t. Don’t leave something as important as your home’s title to chance. An estate planning attorney can make sure your assets are legally secured, and your plan is fraud-resistant.
A Lesson in Loss and Preparedness
That someone tried to steal Graceland, THE Graceland! — reminds us that no estate is immune to fraud. From icons like Elvis Presley to families in Maryland with just a home and a few bank accounts, the risks are real.
At Stouffer Legal, we believe that the best way to honor your loved ones is by protecting what they leave behind. With the right planning, you can ensure that your legacy—whether it's a family home or a treasured heirloom—stays in the right hands.
If you’ve recently lost someone or want to make sure your estate plan is ironclad, we’re here to help. As the Graceland saga shows, it’s always better to arrange your affairs to protect yourself and your loved ones to the greatest extent possible.
