A woman in Miami-Dade County is facing serious charges after allegedly defrauding a man of over $1.6 million by promising lucrative real estate investments. The scheme involved fabricated property deals and unauthorized access to the victim’s business accounts, leading to significant financial losses.
Key Takeaways
- A woman, Ybis Del Carmen, is accused of defrauding a man of $1,655,962.
- The alleged fraud involved fake promises of purchasing six foreclosure properties.
- Del Carmen reportedly had full access to the victim’s business account.
- Property owners of the purported deals stated they never met Del Carmen.
- Del Carmen was arrested and faces charges of organized fraud and grand theft.
The Alleged Scheme
Ybis Del Carmen, 55, is accused of orchestrating a sophisticated fraud targeting a 60-year-old man. According to an arrest warrant, Del Carmen, who had known the victim since 2012 and was associated with Realty Golden Group, convinced him to invest in six foreclosure properties. These properties were reportedly valued at approximately $842,000.
Crucially, the victim granted Del Carmen complete access to his business account at Truist Bank. Detectives investigating the case contacted the owners of the properties in Cutler Bay, Homestead, and northeastern Miami-Dade. These owners uniformly stated they had never met Del Carmen, indicating that all associated contracts and transaction documents were fraudulent.
Financial Devastation and Arrest
Detective Michael Pascual’s investigation revealed that Del Carmen allegedly stole a total of $1,655,962 for personal reasons. The victim expressed his distress, stating, "Never the property was in sale. The owner don’t know the situation; it was all fraud… My economic situation is complicated."
Officers from the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department apprehended Del Carmen. She was subsequently booked at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, facing charges of organized fraud and grand theft. A judge mandated that she prove criminal proceeds were not used for her bail.
Broader Concerns of Real Estate Fraud
This case highlights a concerning trend in real estate fraud. In a separate but related development, authorities are also seeking additional victims in a case involving two men accused of posing as real estate brokers. Joshua Jeshurun Harrison, 37, and Jose Adolfo Lopez, 29, are alleged to have scammed renters out of money by falsely promising to help them secure apartments. Several alleged victims confronted Harrison in court, describing similar experiences of being defrauded and left stranded. Harrison’s bond was set at $1.25 million, with strict conditions including house arrest and no internet access, reflecting the court’s serious concerns about his alleged activities and potential risk to the community.