LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. – Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement have arrested a Florida woman on charges related to an alleged real estate scam.
The FDLE said its agents have arrested Kiana Kiara-Alexis Russell, 22, of Loxahatchee on charges of scheme to defraud, money laundering, and aggravated white-collar crime.
Russell is accused of co-conspiring with Tabria Josey to steal hundreds of thousands from dozens of victims in a complex real estate scam.
She was booked into the Lee County Jail today.
FDLE agents say Josey listed properties for sale on various real estate websites without the owners’ knowledge and would often impersonate the owners. Once a victim committed to buying the property, Josey would act as the title agent facilitating the closing, the FDLE said.
As part of the scheme, she allegedly created fictitious title companies, websites, title agent identities, and unique email addresses making the sale appear legitimate.
Agents have identified more than 45 victims and 25 properties that Josey attempted to sell or rent, the FDLE said.
The case involved properties in Lee, Indian River, Palm Beach, Flagler, Orange, and St. Lucie counties. Investigators say nearly $300,000 was stolen as part of this scam.
The investigation is ongoing and FDLE agents say there could be additional victims. If you have information about this crime, please contact FDLE Fort Myers at (800) 407-4880.
