St. Johns rental scam exposes Florida’s growing real estate fraud problem
Share this @internewscast.com

Scammers are using fake IDs, deepfakes and bogus Sunbiz filings to steal and sell Florida properties before owners even know it’s happening.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A viewer from First Coast News has recently highlighted a worrisome increase in real estate and identity fraud within Florida.

In a message to the Ask Anthony team, a man named Peter, who had just relocated from another state to St. Johns County, shared his story of being deceived after replying to an online rental listing:

I responded to an advertisement for a rental home. The person claimed to be the owner and provided the code to the lockbox so I could tour the property. I proceeded to send him money for the deposit, the first month’s rent, and additional charges. A few days after moving in, the Sheriff’s office arrived, informing me that the home was actually rented through a property management company.

Unfortunately, Peter’s story isn’t unique.

During Tuesday’s Ask Anthony LIVE streaming show, Anthony Austin spoke with Miami-based attorney Ellen Patterson, who is seeing a growing number of identity and property fraud cases. 

In one case, a scammer posed as an authorized business representative and altered official records on Florida’s Sunbiz.org to sell land he didn’t own. By the time the real owner found out, the sale had already gone through.

In another case, a fraudster used a fake Venezuelan passport and a deepfake-style video call to impersonate an overseas property owner, tricking lenders and buyers before the deception was discovered.

“You can Google what a Venezuelan passport looks like. Fraudsters can take that image off the internet and use it to create the fake passport,” Patterson added.

Patterson urges individuals and business owners to monitor their records closely and verify identities in any real estate transaction.

The full conversation is available on First Coast News+, where viewers can learn how to spot red flags, protect their personal and business information and avoid falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated schemes.

If you’ve got a problem you just can’t solve, email Ask Anthony at AskAnthony@firstcoastnews.com.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Massachusetts suspect Karen Read gets defense boost as plow driver testifies he saw no body in snow

Massachusetts Suspect Karen Read Gains Defense Support After Plow Driver Testifies He Didn’t See Body in Snow

Karen Read’s potential lifeline might be a plow driver, who claims he…
Taylor Swift at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.

High-spirited dropout surpasses Taylor Swift as the youngest self-made female billionaire, with a unique food preference

Taylor Swift has been dethroned as the youngest self-made billionaire by a…
Chicago restaurants: Vegan village food hall in the works for 79th Street in South Shore neighborhood

New Vegan Food Hall Set to Open on 79th Street in Chicago’s South Shore Area

CHICAGO (WLS) — Vegans may have a new destination in Chicago as…
President Donald Trump's resurrected travel ban on 12 countries to affect minority families in Chicago area, refugee groups say

Refugee Groups Warn: Trump’s Reinstated Travel Ban on 12 Countries to Impact Minority Families in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — President Donald Trump is resurrecting his travel ban. This…
Michelle Obama explains why daughter Malia changed her name

Michelle Obama Reveals the Reason Malia Changed Her Name

Malia Obama was listed as Malia Ann in the credits of her…
Central Davidson High School.

Student Receives $20k and an Apology After Suspension Over Term for Illegal Immigrants

A HIGH school student has scored a $20,000 payout and a public…
Pacers stun Thunder in NBA Finals Game 1

Pacers Shock Thunder with Game 1 Win in NBA Finals

Tyrese Haliburton did it again. The player known for his performances against…
Former University of St. Francis basketball player Landus Anderson fulfills dreams as NBA lawyer for Portland Trail Blazers

Ex-University of St. Francis Basketball Star Landus Anderson Achieves Dream as Legal Counsel for Portland Trail Blazers

CHICAGO (WLS) — Despite a birth injury, a former basketball player from…
Russia strike kills five in Ukraine hours after Trump-Putin call

Russian Attack in Ukraine Kills Five Shortly After Trump and Putin Phone Conversation

A tragic drone strike carried out by Russia on Thursday night resulted…
New England serial killer fears stoked by 13th body found in small town

Concerns Mount as 13th Body Discovered in Small New England Town, Sparking Serial Killer Fears

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The discovery of Adriana…
Burned-out building in Pryluky, Chernihiv region.

Putin Launches Strikes on Ukraine, Killing 5 Including a Baby, Following Pledge to ‘Defy the World’

VLADIMIR Putin has killed five Ukrainian civilians in his latest overnight attacks…
Biden Fumbled, Trump Delivered: The Steel Deal That Proves the Difference

Biden vs. Trump: The Steel Deal Highlights Their Differences

When future economic historians look back at the journeys of U.S. Steel…