3 people sought in connection with real estate scam in Homestead - WPLG Local 10

HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Homestead police are searching for a woman and two men who they said were involved in a real estate scam that targeted victims on social media.

According to a news release from the Homestead Police Department, there are multiple cases in which Priscilla Marie Contreras, 32, pretended to be a realtor and lured victims to vacant homes “via social media where Yordani Carriles Diaz (43 years old) and Deinoser Bravo (47 years old) would pose as homeowners and conduct money transactions with the victims.”

Kenny spotted the listing on Facebook with the seller’s information and when he visited the Miami-Dade home, a woman named Priscilla and two others greeted him.

“We came through, we liked the property, I mean everything looked legit,” Kenny said.

He signed a lease, handed over more than 5-thousand dollars for first, last, and security.

On move-in day, which was Tuesday, Kenny who is also a father of two arrived in a U-Haul when he saw other families pulling up to the property.

What Kenny didn’t know is that Contreras had access to the property because court records show Contreras was the home’s tenant, fighting eviction.

Another victim of the scam was Maria Urra who is 7-months pregnant and gave the trio closed to 5-grand in cash after seeing the post on Facebook marketplace.

“I am trying to look for a place where I could bring my baby when I give birth,” Urra said after giving them all of her savings.

The homeowners said Contreras stopped paying rent and she is on the radar of Homestead detectives.

“The Homestead police department does believe there are many more victims out there,” Capt. Fernando Morales said.

Police say Contreras pretended to be a realtor while Bravo and Diaz posed as homeowners.

They are now wanted in connection to cases in Miami-Dade and at least 8 cases in an organized scheme to defraud in Homestead.

Police say they lured their victims with listings on social media and they do believe there are more victims.

Anyone with information about the suspects or their whereabouts is asked to call the Homestead Police Department at 305-247-1535 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

Adblock test (Why?)