Close Menu
Florida Real Estate Wire – Real Estate NewsFlorida Real Estate Wire – Real Estate News
  • Florida Real Estate Market
  • Florida News by Region
    • Miami Dade Florida
    • Broward County Florida
    • Palm County Florida
    • Hillsborough County Florida
  • Rent In Florida
  • Investment Realty
  • Luxury Real Estate
  • Real Estate
What's Hot

Historic Odessa Mansion Tops Tampa Bay Real Estate Market at $38.5 Million

July 6, 2025

Florida’s Housing Market Faces Significant Downturn

July 6, 2025

Suncoast Home Values Plunge in One of the Nation’s Largest Declines

July 6, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Florida Real Estate Wire – Real Estate NewsFlorida Real Estate Wire – Real Estate News
Subscribe
  • Florida Real Estate Market

    Florida’s Housing Market Faces Significant Downturn

    July 6, 2025

    Suncoast Home Values Plunge in One of the Nation’s Largest Declines

    July 6, 2025

    Florida Housing Market: Navigating the Shifting Sands of Price and Inventory

    July 5, 2025

    Florida’s Insurance Market Welcomes New Players Amidst Promising Reforms

    July 5, 2025

    Florida Homeowners Face Challenges as Properties Stay on Market for Months with Few Buyers

    July 5, 2025
  • Florida News by Region
    1. Miami Dade Florida
    2. Broward County Florida
    3. Palm County Florida
    4. Hillsborough County Florida
    5. View All

    Florida’s Housing Market Faces Significant Downturn

    July 6, 2025

    Florida Housing Market: Navigating the Shifting Sands of Price and Inventory

    July 5, 2025

    Victims Face Off Against Fake Broker in Miami-Dade Courtroom as Bond Set at $1.25 Million

    July 5, 2025

    Florida’s Insurance Market Welcomes New Players Amidst Promising Reforms

    July 5, 2025

    Florida’s Housing Market Faces Significant Downturn

    July 6, 2025

    Florida Housing Market: Navigating the Shifting Sands of Price and Inventory

    July 5, 2025

    Florida’s Insurance Market Welcomes New Players Amidst Promising Reforms

    July 5, 2025

    Florida Realtors CEO Margy Grant Named HousingWire ‘Woman of Influence’ for Second Consecutive Year

    July 5, 2025

    Florida’s Housing Market Faces Significant Downturn

    July 6, 2025

    Florida Housing Market: Navigating the Shifting Sands of Price and Inventory

    July 5, 2025

    Florida’s Insurance Market Welcomes New Players Amidst Promising Reforms

    July 5, 2025

    Florida Realtors CEO Margy Grant Named HousingWire ‘Woman of Influence’ for Second Consecutive Year

    July 5, 2025

    Historic Odessa Mansion Tops Tampa Bay Real Estate Market at $38.5 Million

    July 6, 2025

    Florida’s Housing Market Faces Significant Downturn

    July 6, 2025

    Florida Housing Market: Navigating the Shifting Sands of Price and Inventory

    July 5, 2025

    Florida’s Insurance Market Welcomes New Players Amidst Promising Reforms

    July 5, 2025

    Historic Odessa Mansion Tops Tampa Bay Real Estate Market at $38.5 Million

    July 6, 2025

    Florida’s Housing Market Faces Significant Downturn

    July 6, 2025

    Florida Housing Market: Navigating the Shifting Sands of Price and Inventory

    July 5, 2025

    Victims Face Off Against Fake Broker in Miami-Dade Courtroom as Bond Set at $1.25 Million

    July 5, 2025
  • Rent In Florida

    Florida’s Housing Market Faces Significant Downturn

    July 6, 2025

    Florida Housing Market: Navigating the Shifting Sands of Price and Inventory

    July 5, 2025

    Maximizing Growth: Prioritizing Market Share Over Profits

    July 5, 2025

    Florida’s Insurance Market Welcomes New Players Amidst Promising Reforms

    July 5, 2025

    Florida Realtors CEO Margy Grant Named HousingWire ‘Woman of Influence’ for Second Consecutive Year

    July 5, 2025
  • Investment Realty

    Florida’s Housing Market Faces Significant Downturn

    July 6, 2025

    Florida Housing Market: Navigating the Shifting Sands of Price and Inventory

    July 5, 2025

    Florida’s Insurance Market Welcomes New Players Amidst Promising Reforms

    July 5, 2025

    Top Florida Suburbs for Smart Property Investment in the Next 5 Years

    July 5, 2025

    Florida Realtors CEO Margy Grant Named HousingWire ‘Woman of Influence’ for Second Consecutive Year

    July 5, 2025
  • Luxury Real Estate

    Florida’s Housing Market Faces Significant Downturn

    July 6, 2025

    Florida Housing Market: Navigating the Shifting Sands of Price and Inventory

    July 5, 2025

    Florida’s Insurance Market Welcomes New Players Amidst Promising Reforms

    July 5, 2025

    Florida Realtors CEO Margy Grant Named HousingWire ‘Woman of Influence’ for Second Consecutive Year

    July 5, 2025

    NYC Election Shockwave: Mamdani’s Win Fuels Florida Real Estate Boom as Wealthy New Yorkers Flee

    July 5, 2025
  • Real Estate

    Florida’s Housing Market Faces Significant Downturn

    July 6, 2025

    Florida Housing Market: Navigating the Shifting Sands of Price and Inventory

    July 5, 2025

    Florida’s Insurance Market Welcomes New Players Amidst Promising Reforms

    July 5, 2025

    Florida Realtors CEO Margy Grant Named HousingWire ‘Woman of Influence’ for Second Consecutive Year

    July 5, 2025

    NYC Election Shockwave: Mamdani’s Win Fuels Florida Real Estate Boom as Wealthy New Yorkers Flee

    July 5, 2025
Florida Real Estate Wire – Real Estate NewsFlorida Real Estate Wire – Real Estate News
Home»Florida News by Region»Hillsborough County Florida»Florida Couple’s Ingenious Low-Cost Home Scam Unveiled
Hillsborough County Florida

Florida Couple’s Ingenious Low-Cost Home Scam Unveiled

June 2, 2025
Florida couple's ingenious low cost home scam unveiled
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Florida Couple Charged in Disturbing Property Theft Scheme

A couple in Florida has been arrested for allegedly executing a simple yet highly effective scam that involved stealing properties from unsuspecting homeowners. Victor Rodriguez, 50, and his 33-year-old wife, Michelle Cherry, reportedly forged quitclaim deeds to unlawfully take ownership of multiple homes in Tampa and Miami-Dade County.

How the Scam Worked

According to reports from WTVT-TV News, the couple managed to execute this scheme for less than $1. They utilized quitclaim deeds, a legal document that allows property ownership to be transferred with the consent of the owner. However, they forged signatures, enabling them to walk away with titles at minimal processing costs—sometimes only 70 cents.

Key Facts About Quitclaim Deeds

  • Definition: A quitclaim deed transfers ownership of property without guaranteeing the title is clear.
  • Vulnerabilities: The simplicity of the process, which only requires a notary and two signatures with an address, makes it easy for fraudsters to exploit.

Victims Speak Out

Caroline Sauer, Rodriguez’s ex-wife, expressed deep concern when she discovered that the titles of her father’s properties had been altered through these fraudulent quitclaim deeds. “We questioned, how did this happen?” said Sauer. Furthermore, she lamented, “Who forges a deceased person’s signature? Who does that?”

The couple’s alleged victims include Larry and Dreama Bilby, who were shocked to learn they had "signed" over their property while it was under construction. Dreama Bilby shared her outrage, stating, "I was so angry, I almost couldn’t talk."

Legal Implications

The prosecutor in Hillsborough County, Mike Lennon, highlighted a growing trend in property theft scams, stating, “To have someone steal your property is like stealing the American dream. It’s terrible.”

Related Posts

  • Rising Sales of Luxury Homes and Affordable Condos in Miami-Dade
  • Summer Renovations Kick Off: ADS Partners Encourages Central Florida Residents
  • Four States on the Brink of Housing Market Decline
  • Realtors Alert: Unusual Behavior at House Showings

Both Rodriguez and Cherry were arrested in March and have pleaded not guilty to the fraud charges. Their attorneys assert that Rodriguez maintains his innocence, emphasizing the need for fair legal proceedings.

Rising Concern Over Forgery

The incident raises questions about the effectiveness of current laws regulating property transfers. With little in place to prevent such a straightforward form of theft, many are calling for tighter regulations. As noted by Hillsborough County Clerk Cindy Stuart, the process for executing a quitclaim deed remains alarmingly easy for criminals.

Possible Future Actions

  • Stricter Regulations: There’s a potential push for more stringent identification requirements and documenting the consent of property owners.
  • Increased Awareness: Property owners should be vigilant and regularly check the status of their ownership titles.

Conclusion

The alarming case of Victor Rodriguez and Michelle Cherry emphasizes the vulnerabilities within property transfer processes. It not only highlights the risks homeowners face but also suggests the need for improved legal safeguards to protect property rights.

For additional information on quitclaim deeds and property law, visit Nolo or consult a legal expert.

Couples Florida Home Ingenious LowCost Scam Unveiled

Related Posts

Historic Odessa Mansion Tops Tampa Bay Real Estate Market at $38.5 Million

July 6, 2025

Florida’s Housing Market Faces Significant Downturn

July 6, 2025

Suncoast Home Values Plunge in One of the Nation’s Largest Declines

July 6, 2025

Florida Housing Market: Navigating the Shifting Sands of Price and Inventory

July 5, 2025
Add A Comment
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Subscribe to Updates

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated with the latest news and exclusive offers.

Top Picks

Cape Coral Housing Market Faces High Risk of Collapse

June 21, 2025

Is Cape Coral Facing a Housing Market Shift?

June 26, 2025

South Florida Realtors Celebrate Zohran Mamdani’s Victory

June 30, 2025

South Florida Flea Market Closes as Vendors Rush to Wrap Up Sales

June 4, 2025
Latest Posts

Historic Odessa Mansion Tops Tampa Bay Real Estate Market at $38.5 Million

July 6, 2025

Florida’s Housing Market Faces Significant Downturn

July 6, 2025

Suncoast Home Values Plunge in One of the Nation’s Largest Declines

July 6, 2025
© 2025 Florida Real Estate Wire. All Rights Reserved.
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.