Former West Palm Beach Man Arrested in Alleged Mortgage Fraud Scheme

Tallahassee, Fla. - The Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) today announced that Yasmani Rodriguez was arrested on charges of mortgage fraud, identity theft, communications fraud, and filing false documents for his alleged role in a mortgage fraud scam.

OFR Commissioner Russell C. Weigel, III said, “Thank you to OFR’s investigators, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Attorney’s Office for the 20^th Judicial Circuit for their diligent efforts in this case. The Office of Financial Regulation remains committed to working with our partners to prevent financial fraud and stop financial criminals.”

Rodriguez is alleged to have obtained a $245,000 mortgage loan against a vacant lot in Collier County that he did not own. He purportedly altered the corporate records of the property’s legitimate owner with the Florida Department of State. Using the falsified documents, he allegedly represented himself as the property owner to obtain a mortgage loan from a private lender. The loan proceeds were deposited into an account controlled by Rodriguez, that he purportedly opened using the falsified corporate documents. Rodriguez allegedly withdrew most of the money in cash.

The case was investigated by the OFR with assistance from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. The Miami-Dade Airport District Police is credited with the arrest. The case is being prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office for the 20^th Judicial Circuit in Naples. 

Floridians who suspect questionable financial business practices are encouraged to file a complaint online at www.flofr.gov, or by calling (850) 487-9687.