A Martin County couple was arrested Monday, accused of defrauding $8 million from unsuspecting buyers and renters in a rental scheme.
Robert A. Tribble, Jr., 50, and Mary Revoller-Chavez, 45, with whom he lived, were taken into custody this morning, Florida Department of Law Enforcement said.
Tribble, who lived in the 17000 block of Randolph Siding Road, in Jupiter, filed fraudulent quit-claim and warranty deeds to take control of homes in foreclosure, advertised the properties for rent or lease to purchase and raked in deposits from unsuspecting buyers and renters, agents alleged.
Tribble collected deposits ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 in rental income and mortgage payments from victims who believed he owned the properties. According to FDLE, Tribble fraudulently obtained 35 properties with a taxable value of about $7.5 million.
Over 50 victims with losses of over $8 million have been identified, FDLE said.
Tibble’s accomplice, Revoller-Chavez, assisted in the scam.
Tribble has been charged with organized scheme to defraud, money laundering, obstructing justice and 14 counts of criminal use of personal identification. Revoller-Chavez was charged with organized scheme to defraud, money laundering and three counts of criminal use of personal identification.
Tribble was arrested at the Martin County Courthouse and Revoller-Chavez was arrested at the home. Both were booked into the Martin County Jail.
