Miami Man Charged in Facebook Rental Scam

Miami Man Charged in Facebook Rental Scam

In an unfolding case that highlights the dangers of online rental fraud, a North Miami Beach man is facing serious charges for allegedly deceiving a prospective tenant out of thousands of dollars through a bogus listing.

Authorities have identified the suspect as 34-year-old Stefano Charitable. According to an arrest report from the Miami Police Department, Charitable is accused of posting a fraudulent rental listing on Facebook Marketplace in July 2024. The property in question was a unit at the Fortune House Hotel, located at 185 NE 14th Terrace in Miami.

The victim, who believed the listing to be legitimate, agreed to lease terms and was instructed to send $2,700 via Zelle to a person identified as "Liliana Romero." This payment was allegedly arranged under Charitable's direction. However, when the victim attempted to move in, they discovered the unit was not available for rent—and more importantly, that Charitable had no legal rights or ownership of the property.

The Miami Police Department has since arrested Charitable and charged him with grand theft. The case serves as a warning to renters to verify property ownership and confirm all details through official channels before making any payments online, especially through peer-to-peer payment apps like Zelle, which offer limited fraud protection.

As rental scams continue to rise, especially on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, authorities are urging residents to report suspicious listings and avoid transferring funds to unknown individuals without proper verification.

Source:Local10 News