April 13, 2026Updated April 14, 2026, 6:36 a.m. ET
Two Miami residents allegedly defrauded associates and associates’ relations out of almost $45,000 for a Royal Caribbean cruise they had been by no means booked on, together with other luxury goods.
Antonio Diaz, 65, and his spouse, Maria Blasco Diaz, 64, had been arrested on April 7 and allegedly stole a complete of $200,259.85, based on an arrest report from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
One of the victims requested Blasco Diaz for enter on a cruise since she typically sailed on them. Blasco Diaz allegedly stated she might get reductions via a pal who claimed to work for Royal Caribbean.
“Ms. Diaz offered cruise excursions, drink packages, room upgrades, hotel stays, transportation, and travel insurance,” the arrest report stated. The sufferer “and her family paid Mr. and Ms. Diaz a total of $44,910 through Zelle, checks, and cash. Checks were all cashed by Ms. Diaz and the Zelle payments were sent to Mr. Diaz.”
The cruise was scheduled to set sail on July 9, 2023, on the cruise line’s Odyssey of the Seas ship. Blasco Diaz had not offered the sufferer with journey paperwork by late June, based on authorities, making a number of excuses and claiming that her pal had been fired from the cruise line.
She offered checks for partial compensation, based on an affidavit within the case, with a promise to repay the remaining utilizing a house fairness line of credit score. However, these checks “were later determined to be drawn from a newly opened account with insufficient funds,” the affidavit stated.
When the sufferer contacted Royal Caribbean, the cruise line stated the reservation quantity was lively however not assigned to her or any of her relations. Blasco Diaz and Diaz didn’t observe via on additional guarantees to repay the funds, per the arrest report.
Royal Caribbean Group, the cruise line’s mum or dad firm, and an lawyer listed for the couple didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
The pair additionally allegedly accepted deposits for sixteen Rolex watches and one Patek Philippe watch for almost $139,000 starting in 2022, claiming the victims would obtain Diaz’s 50% low cost since he labored at a jewellery retailer, in addition to “discounted” diamond earrings for $3,000. None had been delivered.
Other jewellery purchases made by the victims’ household totaled greater than $13,400. Antonio Diaz invoked his proper to counsel, whereas Blasco Diaz confessed to the alleged crimes and stated her husband “had nothing to do with it,” based on arrest studies.
Both defendants later pleaded not responsible.
This story was up to date to refresh headlines.
Nathan Diller is a shopper journey reporter for USA TODAY primarily based in Nashville. You can attain him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
