MIAMI — A Miami man is accused of running a months-long apartment rental scam through Facebook Marketplace that police say targeted multiple victims and stole thousands of dollars in deposits.
The suspect was identified in an arrest report from the Miami Police Department obtained by Local 10 News on Friday as 26-year-old Joseph Nelson Saroza.
According to the report, the scheme unfolded between February and March 2026 and involved fraudulent apartment rental listings posted on Facebook Marketplace.
Investigators said Saroza communicated with victims by text message and FaceTime, and allegedly sent them fake lease agreements.
They said he often posed as a property owner or manager under the name “Bryan Rodriguez” and provided video walkthroughs of apartments to make the listings appear legitimate. After receiving money, he would allegedly block victims and stop responding, according to investigators.
The report states that in one case, a victim sent $2,000 in online deposits after being shown a video tour and a fabricated lease for an Edgewater apartment in the 400 block of Northeast 29th Street.
Police said when that victim attempted to move in, Saroza delayed the date multiple times because of a “plumbing issue,” before cutting off contact.
They said other victims reported similar experiences, including in-person walkthroughs, signed fake agreements, and payments made through Zelle ranging in the thousands of dollars.
One victim later learned from building management that the suspect had no connection to the property, according to investigators.
Investigators said multiple victims were later able to identify Saroza through photo lineups and provided detectives with messages, screenshots and copies of the fake leases.
Miami police confirmed Saroza was arrested Thursday.
Jail records show he is facing six counts of third-degree grand theft and one count of organized fraud involving $20,000 or more but less than $50,000.
As of Friday, he was being held on a $22,500 bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Anyone who believes they may have been targeted in this case is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
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