A man named Peter recently moved to St. Johns County, Florida, from out of state. Looking for a place to live, he found a house for rent online. The person he spoke with said he was the owner and gave Peter the lockbox code so he could go inside and view the home. Everything seemed normal, so Peter sent the man money for the deposit, first month’s rent, and some extra fees.
But just a few days after moving in, Peter got a surprise visit from the Sheriff’s Office. They told him the house had already been rented out by a professional rental company and that the person he paid was not the real owner. Peter had been scammed. Sadly, this kind of situation is becoming more common across Florida.
Real Estate and Identity Fraud Are Increasing Across Florida
Peter’s case isn’t just a one-time story—it’s part of a growing problem. Real estate scams and identity theft are rising all over Florida, and more people are losing money or property to these frauds. During a recent “Ask Anthony LIVE” show on First Coast News, host Anthony Austin spoke with Ellen Patterson, an attorney based in Miami. She shared that these scams are happening more often, and they’re becoming harder to catch.
Scammers are using websites, fake names, and even official-looking documents to fool renters, buyers, and even lenders. People who are moving or searching for properties online are especially at risk.
Scammers Are Hacking Business and Property Records
In one case, Patterson described a scam where someone pretended to be an authorized representative of a business and used Florida’s public records website, Sunbiz.org, to change information about land ownership. The scammer used this trick to sell land they didn’t actually own. By the time the real property owner noticed something was wrong, the sale had already gone through, and the scammer was long gone.
This type of fraud is dangerous because it involves changing official documents, making it harder for people to realize they’re being scammed until it’s too late.
Deepfake Videos and Fake IDs Are Being Used to Trick Buyers
Another advanced scam involved a fake Venezuelan passport and a video call. The scammer used deepfake-style technology to pretend to be an overseas property owner. They contacted lenders and buyers, making it seem like they were the real owners of the property. Everyone believed them until someone finally noticed the documents were fake.
Ellen Patterson explained that criminals can easily search for passport images on Google and use them to create fake IDs. Then they use that fake ID in combination with voice-changing apps and video filters to trick people during video calls.
Tips to Stay Safe From Real Estate Scams
Because scams are getting more advanced, Patterson urges both individuals and businesses to be careful. Always double-check names, ownership records, and business registrations before sending money or signing papers. Don’t rely only on what someone says or shows online. If something feels off, take a step back and investigate further.
You can watch the full interview on First Coast News+ to learn more about how these scams work and how to protect yourself. The episode covers warning signs to look for, what documents to check, and how to avoid becoming a victim of real estate or identity fraud.
