Miami-Dade police target 'squatter brokers,' rental scams

5 homes targeted during September operation

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. ā€“ Local 10 News investigative reporter Christina Vazquez has an alert about so-called "squatter brokers," scammers who are actively scheming to defraud people.

Detectives with the Miami-Dade police economic crimes bureau said squatters and rental scams continue to impact the real estate market.

It is a big issue in South Florida, where in many communities, renters outnumber homeowners.

The Call Christina team was given exclusive access during a recent squatter task force operation.

"We handle real estate fraud, and it is a type of fraud," Sgt. David Goldberger said. "And it stems from the mortgage collapse we had in 2008 to 2009."

Goldberger said squatters often occupy bank-owned homes, but they have investigated cases involving out-of-state homeowners.

"It could be a rental property," Goldberger said. "We had one case where the gentlemen was actually overseas in the military and had to fly home when his neighbors contacted him to say someone was living in his house unbeknownst to him."

The economic crimes bureau's squatter task force will sometimes also encounter people who are victims of rental scams.Ā  In those cases, police initiate a separate investigation to try and locate the person(s) who defrauded them.

When detectives approach people living in a home they don't have the legal right to reside in, they are asked to leave and the legal owner, or representative, issues a trespass warning.

In the event that the unlawful residents violate that warning police can charge them with trespassing.

Police said this is not an eviction.

"Basically it comes down to the fact that there is no landlord/tenant relationship between squatters and the true owners of the property," Goldberger said. "An eviction would have to come into effect if there is a relationship, whether it is verbal or a written contract, with the true owner-representative of the property. In these cases there is none."

"There are repeat offenders sometimes," he added. "It's important because we have people out there taking advantage of you, the individual citizen, and taking your hard-earned money, and it just shouldn't be happening and we are trying to put a stop to it."

At the first target house during the September operation, the women inside the bank-owned home said they had a lease.

The detective working the case told Local 10 News that their team had already determined it was a fake.

"I told them that the home is owned by a bank and they are not authorized to be here so they knew," said Detective Roody Gaston, who told Local 10 News that he first made contact with the unauthorized residents months ago. In that time they verified that they did not have a legal right to live there.

"I told them once we came back here they would have to get out. Most likely she hasn't been paying anything for months," Gaston said.

One of the women called her parents to help them pack up their belongings and move out.Ā  A property owner representative issued Jaqueline Suarez and Karina Garcia a trespass warning and the locks where changed.

Police will sometimes uncover victims of so-called "squatter brokers." These are scammers posing as property owners or managers who place unsuspecting renters in vacant homes, often bank-owned.

They seek out people who are looking for a rental on Craigslist or other online sites, "get their money and put them in the property -- completely illegal," Gaston said.

At another home later that September day, police encounter a couple who said they just paid someone more than $4,000 to rent the house.Ā  Javier and Oneida De La Paz also had a lease.

"They even have a receipt for the down payment," Lt. Efren Lopez said. "The individuals may be a victim themselves. I am looking at this lease and this is a very generic lease. It is the type of lease you can purchase at Office Depot or any office supply store. It is extremely generic. They did try to make it somewhat legitimate. In this case, it is even notarized at the very end, it does show some sort of notary stamp, we would want to verify the notary stamp of course and make sure it is authentic."

Police were able to determine the lease the couple provided was fictitious.

"We will generate a police report and we will conduct an investigation of them being a victim of a rental scam. If they need assistance in locating a place to stay we will provide that as well," Lopez said.

During the September operation police visited five homes across Miami-Dade County.

All squatters who were located on scene were issued a trespass warning by the representative of the property in police presence.Ā  There were no arrests made, as all squatters complied with the warning and vacated the properties without incident.

Copies of the fraudulent leases were made and will be kept on file and utilized in future investigations as a tool to identify a "squatter broker." Ā 

If the squatters agree to cooperate with the Squatter Task Force by providing detailed information regarding the squatter broker, then the chances of identifying the squatter broker increase.

Signs of Rental Scam

1)Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  The price is below market value.

2)Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  They want a security deposit or first month's rent before you've met.

3)Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  They say they live out of the country.

Renters Should:

1)Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  Verify the landlord's identification.

2)Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  Verify property ownership.

3)Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  Be wary if the person asking you for money does not ask for an application or credit check.

FTC: Rental listing scams consumer information

Homeowners can protect themselves by making sure someone is keeping a watch over their house if the home is vacant between rentals.

If you suspect a squatter you can contact MDPD's Economic Crimes Bureau:

9105 NW 25 Street, Suite #3122

Doral, FL 33172 USA

Phone: 305-994-1000

Fax: 305-994-1004Ā 

Email:Ā  ecbinfo@mdpd.com

STOP SQUATTERS:

Property Owners, Real Estate Agents or Management Companies: Protect you or your client's property from squatters or adverse possession claims, and avoid being a victim.

Check on your property frequently.

Look for signs of occupancy:

*Forced entry

*Locks changed.

*Broken windows.

*Any change in the property's appearance.

Should Squatters be discovered on the property:

*Request police assistance.

*A crime may have occurred and a trespass warning may be appropriate.

*Squatters may present a bogus lease agreement or other documents to create the appearance of being "victims" themselves.

WARNING: RENTAL SCAMS:

When going out of town: Request a "Watch Order" on your home from your local police department.

Renters: protect yourself and your family. AVOID being a victim of a rental scam or rental fraud:

*Voluntarily register your property with Miami-Dade County.

*Carefully review Internet and other rental property advertisements.

*Use a licensed realtor.

*Verify the legal owner of the property to be rented.

*If a third party attempts to lease you a property, verify that they are a duly authorized representative of the legal property owner (obtain photo ID, full name, company name, contact information and e-mail address).

Before releasing any funds:

*Obtain a written lease agreement.

*No cash transactions.

*Use a personal check, cashier's check or money order.

RELATED LINKS:

Beware of rising online rental listing scams

Mansion squatter facing eviction

Bank takes possession of squatter mansion

Follow Christina Vazquez on Twitter @CallChristinaTV

Follow Local 10 News on Twitter @WPLGLocal10