3 people charged in land-selling scheme
MIAMI (AP) – Federal prosecutors in Miami say three people targeted the Haitian community and others in a land-selling scheme.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Monday that 42-year-old Daniel Stephen, 53-year-old Patricia DePons and 43-year-old Clotilde Jean are charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud.
Prosecutors say the three tried to sell property using advertisements on Haitian radio, leaflets, bus trips to north Florida and direct solicitations of the buyers. The indictment says the three made misrepresentations to induce the buyers to purchase the vacant land.
Authorities say more than 1,000 people were allegedly defrauded of approximately $10.6 million.