Florida Couple Charged in Ingenious Property Theft Scam Using Forged Quitclaim Deeds
Florida Couple Charged in Shocking Property Theft Scheme Using Forged Deeds
In a startling case that has left homeowners in Florida reeling, a couple has been charged with stealing properties through a remarkably simple scam that reportedly costs less than a dollar to execute. Victor Rodriguez, 50, and his wife Michelle Cherry, 33, are accused of forging quitclaim deeds to illegally claim ownership of homes in Tampa and Miami-Dade County, including a property owned by Rodriguez’s ex-father-in-law.
The scheme came to light when Caroline Sauer, Rodriguez’s ex-wife, discovered that the titles to her father’s properties had been altered without consent. “We questioned, how did this happen?” Sauer told WTVT-TV News. “Who forges a deceased person’s signature? Who does that?”
Quitclaim deeds are legal documents that allow property owners to transfer their ownership rights to another party. However, the couple allegedly exploited this process by forging signatures, enabling them to walk away with property titles for as little as 70 cents in processing fees. This loophole has raised concerns among authorities, as many states have minimal regulations to prevent such fraudulent activities.
The couple’s alleged activities were caught on surveillance cameras at the Hillsborough County Clerk’s office, where they reportedly forged a quitclaim deed to take possession of a house. The Bilbys, whose home was under construction and unoccupied at the time, were shocked to learn in February that they had supposedly signed over their property. “I was so angry, I almost couldn’t talk,” Dreama Bilby expressed, reflecting the outrage felt by many victims of such scams.
Hillsborough County Clerk Cindy Stuart highlighted the ease with which these forgeries can occur, stating that only a notary and two signatures with an address are required to complete the process. Prosecutor Mike Lennon emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, “To have someone steal your property is like stealing the American dream. It’s terrible.”
Both Rodriguez and Cherry were arrested in March and have pleaded not guilty to the fraud charges. Rodriguez’s legal team has maintained his innocence, asserting their commitment to protecting his rights amid ongoing litigation.
As the investigation unfolds, the case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within property ownership laws and the urgent need for reforms to protect homeowners from such deceitful schemes.