MIAMI — Miami police have arrested a man Tuesday who they say is accused of stealing nearly $1 million from at least two South Florida businesses - one of which he worked for - by allegedly rerouting customer payments into his own accounts.
The Miami Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit confirmed the arrest of Mark Alex Natera, 37, following an extensive investigation into alleged financial crimes involving REEF Technology LLC and its parent company, Vessel Operating HoldCo LLC.
REEF Technology LLC is a digital ecosystem that connects local neighborhoods to global goods, services, and experiences through Ulysses, a network of entrepreneurs leveraging the power of proximity.
Authorities said Vessel Operating HoldCo LLC assists REEF in operating it’s business.
They said the investigation began when company executives discovered that funds had been improperly diverted into a former employee’s personal bank accounts.
An arrest report states that between Nov. 12, 2023, and Oct. 16, 2024, Natera, who worked as a senior software engineer, used his access to company systems to change banking information tied to the company’s payment platform.
Those changes allowed customer payments meant for the company to be redirected to bank accounts and credit or debit cards controlled by Natera, the report stated.
Detectives said that the total loss for both companies is estimated at about $914,000.
They reviewed financial records from multiple banks, which confirmed the diverted funds, linked the altered account information to Natera and showed the activity happened over several months, according to police.
Authorities obtained an arrest warrant, and Natera was taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon by the MPD’s Felony Apprehension Team.
Jail records show he is facing charges including organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, fraudulent use of personal identification information, and unauthorized access to a computer system.
Natera appeared in bond court Wednesday morning, where his bond was set at $120,000, with a Nebbia hearing requested.
A Nebbia hearing is a legal procedure used to determine the source of bail money.
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
