Ft. Lauderdale Detectives Charge Man In Fraud Scheme
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – Detectives in Fort Lauderdale charged a man with organizing a scheme to defraud more than two dozen victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Investigators said they have charged 54-year-old Gabriel Chauvel.
Detectives believe Chauvel defrauded at least 25 victims of $153,000 between November 2012 and August 2013.
According to investigators Chauvel was part of a couple that would show homes around Broward County to interested victims.
When the victims found a property they wanted, they were instructed to provide a down payment ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 and sign a 90 day contract.
However, if the victim decided against the purchase within 90 days, the deposit provided would not be returned, according to detectives.
Detectives also said Chauvel was associated with Joan Alalof Jean from Pembroke Pines. Jean is also known as "Joanne Charles" and is reportedly cooperating with authorities, but has not been charged.
