A Hillsborough County property fraud alert system has proven instrumental in the arrest of a married couple accused of stealing homes through a sophisticated deed forgery scheme. The system, which alerts homeowners to any filings against their properties, successfully flagged suspicious activity, leading to the apprehension of the alleged perpetrators.
Property Fraud Alert System Proves Effective
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court’s free property fraud alert system played a crucial role in uncovering the alleged home theft operation. This system notifies registered residents when documents are filed against their homes, providing an early warning against fraudulent activity. According to Hillsborough County Clerk Cindy Stuart, the system has been in place since 2015, though only a fraction of county homes are currently registered.
- The alert system is a free service designed to protect homeowners.
- Registering for the system takes less than five minutes.
- The system successfully alerted a homeowner, leading to an arrest.
The "Quitclaim Deed" Scam
Victor Rodriguez, 50, and his wife, Michelle Cherry, 33, are accused of forging "quitclaim deeds" to transfer property ownership without the consent of the actual owners. This method can be alarmingly inexpensive, with processing costs reportedly as low as 70 cents. The couple allegedly targeted properties in Tampa and Miami-Dade County, including one owned by Rodriguez’s ex-father-in-law and another belonging to Larry and Dreama Bilby, whose home was under renovation.
Arrest and Charges
Larry and Dreama Bilby registered their home in the fraud alert system after noticing missing mail and mail addressed to Michelle Cherry. Within two days, they received a fraud alert, prompting law enforcement involvement. Tampa police arrested Cherry and Rodriguez in March. Court documents indicate the couple filed fraudulent quitclaim deeds for at least two other properties and attempted to sell them. Michelle Cherry faces significant prison time, potentially over 275 years, with charges including identity theft, a first-degree felony.
"Title Pirates" Targeting Homes
Hillsborough State Attorney Suzy Lopez referred to individuals engaging in such schemes as "title pirates," highlighting the growing prevalence of property fraud. The scam involves forging signatures on quitclaim deeds, a legal document that transfers property ownership. The ease and low cost of this method make it a concerning threat to property owners. Both Rodriguez and Cherry have pleaded not guilty to the charges, with their legal team asserting Rodriguez’s innocence and the need to protect his rights during the ongoing litigation.
Sources
- Florida couple allegedly swiped homes using shockingly easy scam that costs less than $1, New York Post.
- Hillsborough County property fraud alert system helped catch married couple accused of stealing home, FOX 13 Tampa Bay.