A Florida couple has been arrested over defrauding people of more than $200,000.

For scamming people, they booked fake Royal Cruise bookings and luxury watches that were never delivered.

The fraudsters are 65-year-old Antonio Diaz and 64-year-old Maria Blasco Diaz. Couple were arrested on April 7 and is now facing felony charges.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office reported that the couple collected around $200,259.85 in three years by scamming people.

The couple used to scam people by claiming that they could secure special discounts through a friend who worked for Royal Caribbean. They also used to lure people by offering exclusive packages, room upgrades, drink packages, and travel insurance for Royal Caribbean.

One of the victims even paid the couple $44,910 for a family booking for Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas scheduled for July 9, 2023.

However, till date, she has never received any updates. Responding to her repeated requests, Blasco Diaz came up with several excuses, eventually claiming her friend had been fired.

Upon direct contact with Royal Caribbean, they established that although the reservation was valid, it was not for her nor any of her family members. The payments written by the couple for their partial refund failed due to a lack of sufficient funds.

The couple is said to have received close to $139,000 as deposits for 16 Rolex watches and one Patek Philippe watch, owing to a claimed 50 percent discount on account of Antonio Diaz working in a jewelry shop.

Blasco initially confessed to the crime and made a statement that her husband “had nothing to do with it.”

For now, the couple has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, they can face up to 30 years in prison.

How to avoid Royal Caribbean booking scams?

Officials have requested users to confirm the booking number immediately on the Royal Caribbean website or app to ensure it exists. Moreover, never pay upfront, and use the phone number directly from the official Royal Caribbean site for authentic contact.

Benjamin Bratt looked back fondly on his time working with Sandra Bullock in the 2000 comedy, Miss Congeniality.

At the Los Angeles premiere of his new Prime Video film Balls Up, the actor shared with E! News that Bullock was “one of the loveliest people” he’s ever worked with.

“I remember Sandy at the helm as a producer and as the star of the film,” Bratt said.

“She was courageous and willing to go for anything.”

He noted that Bullock’s leadership created an environment where he and their costars, including Michael Caine, Candice Bergen, William Shatner, and Heather Burns, felt safe to take creative risks.

“That’s really the beauty of being in a situation where the safety net is built in,” Bratt explained. “It encourages you as a performer to just jump off the cliff and see what happens.”

The risks paid off, with Miss Congeniality becoming a box office hit and spawning the 2005 sequel Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous.

Though Bratt did not return for the sequel, he credits Bullock’s comedic fearlessness for the franchise’s enduring popularity.

“It really endures because of Sandy and what she did with it,” he said, adding that her willingness to be silly and make a fool of herself set the tone for the cast and crew.

Reflecting on Bullock’s influence, Bratt concluded, “She leads from the top. If you start the work day with an essence of fun, then hopefully the result will fall into line.”

Khloé Kardashian pushed back against Lamar Odom’s latest remarks in his Netflix documentary Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom.

The former NBA star suggested he married her for fame.

On the April 15 episode of her Khloé in Wonder Land podcast, the reality star addressed Odom’s comments head-on.

“You’re sitting on camera saying you married me for fame,” she said, adding that she too, along with fans, once believed their seven-year marriage was built on love.

“You, your friends, you guys are all saying how you were with me just for fame. That’s like some f–ked up s–t. I feel so dumb, I spent hours and time doing this documentary as a favor. I’m not paid one penny.”

Joined by longtime friend Malika Haqq, Kim Kardashian’s sister explained she initially agreed to participate in the project to ensure Odom’s story was portrayed positively.

“I wanted to make sure it was handled in the best way,” she noted. “He’s been through enough negative s–t. Let’s turn the tune here.”

But following the documentary’s release, Kardashian expressed frustration with Odom’s press appearances, where he appeared to downplay her role in his recovery after his near-fatal overdose in 2015.

“I don’t even need you to sing my praises,” she said. “But you’re not now going to s–t on me or play in my face because you don’t like the reaction and the response from the public.”

A source close to Odom told E! News that his press commitments were part of his agreement, not a personal choice.

The insider emphasized that Odom has consistently acknowledged Kardashian’s support during his most difficult years.