Gold Coins Worth $50K Stolen in Florida Keys Treasure Scam

A Florida man got himself into some pretty serious trouble over two shiny gold coins worth more than $50,000. Yeah, sure, shiny gold things are tempting, but to risk your freedom for them? No, thanks. Well, according to WTVJ, this guy, Keiontae Raneake Osean Smith (that's a lot of names), is facing grand theft charges for tricking someone out of gold coins in the Florida Keys.

Here’s how it went down. Smith, from Tampa, set up a deal to buy these gold coins from a guy in Bay Point, which is in the Lower Keys. They agreed on $53,750 because, you know, gold coins ain't cheap. They decide on a wire transfer to keep things official. But when the time came to actually hand over the cash, Smith pulled a fast one. He showed the seller a photo of what looked like a bank transfer. Only problem? It was as fake as a three dollar bill.

After the deal for the gold coins, the victim realized something was off when no money hit their account. They dig a little deeper and, surprise, surprise, find out Smith had been using a fake name. And if that wasn’t enough, he handed over a bogus tracking number and even a fake credit card number just to wrap the scam in one big bow.

Authorities caught up with Smith, and now he's booked on charges of grand theft and dealing in stolen property. No lawyer info is available for him yet, but you gotta imagine, this is gonna be a rough ride. When you’re out here playing pirate and stealing gold coins in the Keys, eventually the real authorities are coming for that booty.

The 2024 Travelers' Choice® Awards Best of the Best Things to Do list is out and there's a reason why so many people vacation in Florida. 25 of the most loved top attractions in the US made the list, highlighting the highest rated experiences and attractions around the world and in the US based on Tripadvisor reviews. 

What's number one? The Empire State Building in New York City climbed to the top as the No. 1 attraction, not just in the US, but globally. Reviewers are wowed by the 360-degree view of New York, where they can point out all of their favorite landmarks and see up to six states on a clear day. Over 300 reviews deem it a "once in a lifetime" experience and more than 8,000 5-star reviews put this tourist spot on top. Another New York iconic spot also made the top 3 top attractions in the US list.

Kristen Dalton, President of Tripadvisor states "Experiences make a trip, and our Best of the Best Things to Do Awards offer some of the highest-rated activities from across the world, highlighted by our community of travelers. Whether you're a thrill seeker or a leisurely explorer, the 'Best of the Best' badge has the seal of approval from global travelers as a source of inspiration for an unforgettable vacation."

Florida still maintains itself as a major tourist destination with 3 of the top attractions in the US being here in the Sunshine State. As a 20 year resident of Florida, I love doing touristy things, but I'm kind of disappointed in myself. I've not been to any of these 3 attractions. Yet.

Scuba diving or snorkeling is the best way to view this park, but glass bottom boat tours are also available. TripAdvisor has this park, located in Key Largo, as the 4th best attraction in the United States. So what makes it so special?

In 1960 the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was named the United States' first undersea park. The Florida Keys have the only living coral reef in the continental United States. The in 1965, it got much more interesting.

On August 25th, 1965 the Christ of the Abyss was lowered into the water at a depth of 25 feet. The bronze statue still rests there with the top at a depth of 8-10 feet below the surface. Visible to snorkelers, but best viewed with SCUBA gear.

We didn't have to go very far down the list to find the next Florida entry. The Stetson Mansion is listed as the 5th best top attraction in the US.

The Stetson Mansion is in Deland, Florida, just off I4 between Orlando and Daytona Beach. It's referred to as "Florida's first luxury estate". Built in 1886 the mansion is actually older than the city of Miami. And if you're wondering why the name "Stetson" sounds familiar, the mansion was built for famed hat maker John B. Stetson.

The mansion is not currently open for tours, but Christmas Tours are offered 2-7 times daily Nov 1st, 2024 - Jan 18th, 2025. I'm hearing Christmas is the best time to visit, so this might be something to put on your bucket list.

Another Florida keys attraction, this one further down in Key West, is not a museum, but a living exhibit. Their website sums it up "Take a walk among hundreds of free flying butterflies, exotic birds and 2 glorious flamingos inside the soaring glass-domed tropical butterfly habitat."

Let one of their guides teach you about nature, pointing out the different butterflies and colorful flowers. When you're done, don't forget to hit up the gift shop.

See the top 25 Best of the Best Attractions in the US here