SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FL—Jose Luis Fernandez, a 60-year-old Florida man, just got a crash course in Trust No One 101 after his longtime “friend” allegedly swindled him out of $1.6 million in a real estate scam so elaborate, it could’ve been a Netflix documentary.
The Setup: “She Seemed Legit… Like, 2012-Legit”
Fernandez had known Ybis Del Carmen since 2012, which, in Florida years, is basically family. So when she pitched him on investing in six foreclosure properties through her company, Realty Golden Group (red flag #1: anything with “Golden” in the name), he handed over full access to his bank account like it was a Costco membership card.
Spoiler: The properties didn’t exist. The documents? Fake. The trust? Obliterated.
The Excuses: “My Dog Ate the Deed”
When Fernandez asked for his money back, Del Carmen allegedly hit him with every excuse in the scammer playbook:
– “The bank is processing it.”
– “The notary ghosted me.”
– “The properties are… uh… in the metaverse?”
By the time he realized he’d been bamboozled, his life savings had pulled a Houdini. “I lost everything,” he told reporters, probably while staring into the abyss of his now-empty bank account.
The Arrest: Justice Served (With a Side of Schadenfreude)
Sunny Isles Beach PD swooped in and arrested Del Carmen on charges of organized fraud and grand theft, because in Florida, you either die a hero or live long enough to become a defendant. Cops suspect she may have scammed others too, because why stop at one Florida Man when you can bag a whole retirement community?
How Not to Get Scammed: A Florida Man’s Guide
If you’re thinking of investing in real estate (or anything that doesn’t involve alligator wrestling), here’s how to avoid Fernandez’s fate:
1️⃣ If it sounds too good to be true, it’s probably a timeshare—or a scam.
2️⃣ Verify the agent’s license, because “trust me, bro” isn’t a legal credential.
3️⃣ Hire a real estate attorney, preferably one who hasn’t been featured on America’s Most Wanted.
The Aftermath: “But I Thought We Were Friends?”
Fernandez is now living proof that in Florida, even your longtime acquaintances might be plotting to drain your bank account. Meanwhile, Del Carmen is learning that the only “golden” thing in her future is an orange jumpsuit.
Moral of the story? If someone offers you a “can’t-lose” investment in Florida, assume it involves either a Ponzi scheme or a meth lab. Proceed accordingly.
(Want more wild Florida stories? Stay tuned—TalesFromFlorida.com never runs out of material.)