Fla.: Land grab threatens neighbors

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – May 29, 2008 – An anonymous scammer is driving some Florida residents crazy by buying up slivers of property, mostly common areas of subdivisions, then threatening to deny the neighborhood access unless then cough up an exorbitant payment.

The scammer calls himself (818) 239-2215 Land Trust. No individual’s name is associated with the sales except that of the attorney who handles the transactions. The properties are acquired at tax sales.

Just to make things more irritating for the targeted neighborhoods, the scammer posts want ads on Craig’s List, supposedly seeking a buyer and suggesting ways the piece of property might be used, and the suggestion usually isn’t attractive.

In most cases, the property is too small to be used for much of anything, says Pasco County zoning administrator Debra Zampetti, “except to drive those people crazy.”

The neighbors could take the scammer to court and establish themselves as rightful owners, officials say, but the legal battles would cost more than just paying the scammer what he wants – a few thousand dollars.

“I don’t care how you look at it, it’s extortion.” says Sam Dennewitz, a resident of Aloha Gardens, where the 818 Trust threatened to turn the utility easement behind his and other homes into a dog park unless he paid up.

Source: St. Petersburg Times (05/04/2008)

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