A Florida couple has been arrested after allegedly scamming close friends and family out of more than $200,000 through promises of luxury cruise trips and high-end jewelry.
According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, Antonio Diaz, 65, and Maria Blasco Diaz, 64, face charges for executing a large-scale organized scheme to defraud, misappropriating a total of $200,259.85.
Investigative records show that since 2023, Maria Blasco Diaz told victims she could provide discounted cruise packages through connections with Royal Caribbean employees.
The victims' family transferred nearly $45,000 total via Zelle, checks, and cash for services including:
– Cruise tickets
– Drink packages
– Room upgrades
– Hotels
– Transportation
– Travel insurance
As the departure date approached, the suspects repeatedly delayed providing documentation. They later issued partial refund checks that bounced due to insufficient funds, similar to too-good-to-be-true bait-and-switch tactics used to steal deposits from the public.
When the victims checked the booking codes with the cruise line, the company confirmed that no associated reservations existed.
Additionally, the couple accepted nearly $139,000 in deposits for 16 Rolex watches and one Patek Philippe watch, promising a 50% discount through Antonio Diaz's job. Exploiting the desire for luxury goods at bargain prices led many into the trap, much like cases of embezzling funds for travel and illegal personal shopping.
They also accepted money for jewelry items such as diamond earrings worth approximately $3,000 but never delivered any products.
According to court testimony, many members of the victims' family — including elderly individuals — were affected, with about 20 people promised spots on the cruise trip. These incidents highlight the sophistication of financial crimes, reminiscent of the $328 million Florida Ponzi scheme that recently shocked the public.
The two suspects face charges including:
– Organized scheme to defraud over $50,000
– First-degree grand theft
– Exploitation of the elderly
– Use of invalid financial documents
Maria Blasco Diaz faces an additional charge of issuing worthless checks. The case serves as another warning about large-scale scams targeting the trust of those within one's social circle.
The court set bail at $35,000 for each individual.
