FLORIDA—The Office of Statewide Prosecution, led by Attorney General Ashley Moody, obtained a prolonged jail term for a swindler who engaged in several white-collar offenses related to real estate and advertising property, Moody has announced.
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Tabria Josey, along with an alleged accomplice, fraudulently listed underdeveloped plots of land with homebuilding or investment potential in several Florida counties, said Moody. Josey reportedly stole from over 40 victims, causing more than $300,000 in losses.
“This duo laid traps to gain the trust of potential buyers, forcing them to fork over a heavy down payment before cutting off all ties to line their pockets,” said Moody.
“I’m proud of my Office of Statewide Prosecution for taking down the ringleader of the operation, along with gaining restitution for the victims that suffered through this scheme.”
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According to Moody, the duo falsely represented themselves as listing agents, sellers, and representatives of a non-existent title company and listed properties for sale on various websites. They persuaded potential buyers to wire money for a down payment and then ceased all communication. Neither Josey nor the accomplice owned any of the properties they listed, Moody said.
The pair reportedly charged most victims from $2,500 to $7,500, however, some are said to have lost between $15,000 to $25,000.
Josey primarily operated out of Palm Beach County, but fraudulently listed land property in all of the following counties: Flagler, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lee, Orange, Palm Beach and St. Lucie.
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The Office of Statewide Prosecution (OSP) filed the case in Lee County since many of the victims and listed properties are in Lee County.
Josey pleaded guilty and is convicted of organized fraud in the first degree, organized fraud in the third degree, grand theft; a third-degree felony, aggravated white-collar crime; a first-degree felony, money laundering; a first-degree felony, and two counts of communications fraud in the third degree.
The OSP successfully prosecuted Josey, who has been sentenced to six years in prison, followed by nine years of probation. The alleged accomplice’s case is still pending. The victims will receive more than $300,000 in restitution.
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