Warning about simple loophole that ‘glamorous scammer used to scam couple’s house’ for just 70 cents

A glamorous wife and her husband allegedly scammed a couple out of their Tampa home in a brazen scam that cost just 70 cents.

Michelle Cherry and Victor Rodriguez are accused of falsifying documents to defraud the owners of their property, part of a conspiracy that now has officials scrambling to change state laws.

Security footage taken at the Hillsborough County Clerk’s Office shows the shocking moment Cherry and Rodriguez shamelessly worked to pull off the same stunt repeatedly, with both men accused of getting away with acts relating to three properties.

Now their alleged victims are struggling to get their own homes back and facing a series of lengthy legal battles, requiring large sums of money and time to repair.

Prosecutors allege that Michelle Cherry (pictured) and her husband, Victor Rodriguez, stole three properties from unsuspecting owners.

One of the homes Cherry and Rodriguez stole belonged to Larry and Drea Bilby (pictured), who are still fighting to have their names returned to the deed.

Prosecutors say the two men posed as different owners, speaking with employees to apparently show them the fake documents.

During these appearances, Cherry and Rodriguez allegedly used fraudulent resignation request acts for the scam.

Quitclaim deeds — documents that can quickly transfer ownership of a home — allow scammers to steal homes with frightening ease.

“They searched for properties they believed to be abandoned, and then they used online information to forge signatures on those deeds in order to file them with the clerk of court,” Florida District Attorney Mike Lennon told ABC .

Lennon said there had been a “sharp increase” in the number of these scams.

“Letting someone steal your property is like stealing the American dream. It’s terrible,” he said.

The Bilbys were not living in the house when it was stolen because it was under construction.

Security footage taken at the Hillsborough County Clerk’s Office shows Cherry and Rodriguez visiting the premises on multiple occasions.

According to prosecutors, Cherry and Rodriguez used their sleazy tactics to rob Larry and Drea Bilby’s home.

“This is how your house is robbed. Here we go, Drea said.

“It only costs 70 cents and some paperwork,” Larry added.

The Bilbys were not living in their home when it was robbed because the property was under construction.

But the couple frequently checked their home’s security cameras. They have footage that appears to show Cherry and her husband loitering around their property.

In the surveillance video – taken multiple times – Rodriguez and Cherry appear to have parked their car in the Bilbys’ driveway. In some locations, the suspected fraudsters can be seen peering through house windows.

“They took our electricity bill and our water bill. They covered up our name and put their name on it,” Larry Bilby said.

The fraud would not have been detected if not for the county clerk’s office, which became alarmed by the house’s title change.

“Every time a case is filed against your property, you receive an alert, whether it’s a phone call, text message or email. It’s a free service,” said Cindy Stuart, local clerk.

Prosecutors say Cherry committed a scam that cost him only 70 cents.

Cherry allegedly used quitclaim deeds – documents that can quickly transfer ownership of a home – to carry out his fraud

Even when Tampa police began investigating Cherry, the alleged fraudster continued to visit the Bilbys’ property.

In the body camera video, she can be seen standing outside the house, insisting that it belongs to her.

‘I own it. I’m on the act in progress,” Cherry told police.

In March, Cherry and Rodriguez were both arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit fraud.

Prosecutors believe stealing the homes was just the first step in a larger, nefarious plan.

“They were stealing from these properties for the purpose of trying to get loans on these properties or trying to sell them to unsuspecting buyers,” attorney Lennon said.

In March, Cherry and Rodriguez were both arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit fraud.

Victor Rodriguez (pictured) and his wife allegedly used quitclaim deeds – documents that can quickly transfer ownership of a home – to carry out their fraud.

Both Cherry and Rodriguez have pleaded not guilty. Although Cherry had no comment, Rodriguez’s attorney said his client “maintains his innocence.”

If convicted, the suspects face up to 285 years in prison.

The Bilbys are still fighting to get their name back on the title to their home, but it has required a lot of money, time and legal work.

The ease with which Cherry and Rodriguez pulled off their alleged fraud has prompted some officials to call for stricter property laws that make it harder to use quick deeds of claim to sell homes.

“The fact that the form is so simple and requires so little documentation is problematic,” Cindy Stuart said.

“Letting someone steal your property is like stealing the American dream. It’s terrible,” said Florida prosecutor Mike Lennon.

To avoid a similar scam, law enforcement says it’s essential to check with your local clerk’s office, as they are the ones who oversee titles and deeds.

Now, every county offers homeowners access to the Real Estate Fraud Alert System.

He contacts people as soon as the deed to their house has been changed. Drea urged homeowners to sign up for the free service.

“If you don’t sign up for the real estate fraud alert, you’re just asking for the possibility of the same thing that happened to us,” she said.