Recognize These People? They're Accused Of Defrauding Dozens Of Miami-Dade Families With Real Estate Scam
HOMESTEAD (CBSMiami) – Dozens of families in Miami-Dade County are out thousands of dollars. Some are even homeless after falling victim to a real estate scam.
"It was a beautiful home it caught my attention as soon as I saw the post," says Maria Karla Urra, a victim.
Maria is seven months pregnant and thought a listing she saw on Facebook Marketplace would be the perfect new home for a growing family.
"Humanity is worse than I thought," says Marisol Cruz, another victim. She made a deposit of $3,000 on the same house as Maria Urra.
"This is growing rapidly. We have an excess of 8 cases right now this is in the city of Homestead," says Fernando Morales, a captain with the Homestead Police Department.
Homestead police said Priscilla Marie Contreras, Yordani Carriles Diaz and Deinoser Bravo are acting as realtors and homeowners in order to defraud victims.
Victims say Priscilla Contreras acted as the realtor and even carried around a newborn baby while pretending to show homes.
"In some cases, they'll go to the extent of having their victims go to the police department, get background records, fill out paperwork and then very quickly call them back to say they've been approved but they need some type of down payment," said Morales.
"She asked me for bank statements to review my income. That's all. I thought it was easy," explained Maria.
But about an hour later, "I got a text from Pracilla saying congrats you're approved you have a new home," she said.
Little did Maria know, she was sending that text to several others too.
"Our only mistake was we didn't ask for a Realtor license." But it was a mistake that cost Maria and her family everything.
"Everything. That was all of my savings. It's been really hard for me," she explained.
On top of losing more than $4,500 dollars, Maria also gave notice to her current apartment that she'd be moving out March 1st.
"Thank God, they let me stay for one more week but all I have is one more week to find the rent and not only that. To find the money for another deposit and another home," she says.
Multiple families are in the same position Thursday.
Police are still searching for the three suspects. They're asking anyone with information on where they are to call police immediately.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of these subjects are urged to contact the Homestead Police Department at 305-247-1535 or Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.