Suspect steals nearly $300K from Lee, 5 other counties in real estate scheme

Writer: Joey Pellegrino
Published: Updated:
Tabria Anorria Josey
Tabria Anorria Josey. Credit: Florida Department of Law Enforcement

A 20-year-old woman from Loxahatchee was arrested Wednesday morning as a suspect in a real estate scheme said to have stolen nearly $300,000 from dozens of victims across Lee and five other counties.

Tabria Anorria Josey was arrested by agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. She faces charges of scheme to defraud, grand theft, money laundering, aggravated white-collar crime and communications fraud.

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. As part of the scheme, she 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 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 scheme.

The investigation is ongoing and FDLE agents say there could be additional victims. If you have information about this crime, please contact FDLE Ft. Myers at (800) 407-4880.

Josey was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail.

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