NBC 6 South Florida |
“Two people were arrested in connection with an $8 million rental fraud scheme that involved dozens of victims in Broward, Palm Beach and Martin counties, authorities said Monday.
Robert Allen Tribble Jr., 50, of Jupiter filed fraudulent quit-claim and warranty deeds to take control of homes in foreclosure, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said in a news release.
He allegedly advertised the homes under rental or “lease to purchase” arrangements, collecting deposits that ranged from $2,500 to $20,000 from unsuspecting renters and buyers, the FDLE said. Tribble also collected rental or mortgage payments from the victims, who believed that he owned the properties, the agency said.
Accomplice Mary Revoller-Chavez, 45, lived with Tribble at 17088 Randolph Siding Road in Jupiter and helped him with the scheme, according to the FDLE.
In all, investigators believed that Tribble fraudently obtained 35 properties that had a taxable value of about $7.5 million, the FDLE said. Over 50 victims had losses of over $8 million, it added.”