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For Immediate Release:
 October 21, 2013

Media Contact:
Det. Robin Pinkard
[email protected]
(305)471-1900
   
Topic: Organized Scheme To Defraud
Case #: PD111229518839
Date & Time of Occurrence: 12/29/2011  
Address of Occurrence: Miami-Dade County
   
Victim #1:
Victim Name: Jose Alfonso , (W/M)
Victim DOB: 08/05/1969
Victim Address: 1039 S.W. 143rd Road Court
  Miami, Florida, 
Victim #2:
Victim Name: Lazaro Padron, (W/M)
Victim DOB: 12/06/1975
Victim Address: 670 W 70th Place
  Hialeah, Florida
Victim #3:
Victim Name: Carlos Penate, (W/M)
Victim DOB: 11/30/1965
Victim Address: 7525 S.W. 152nd Avenue #B301
  Miami, Florida
Victim #4:
Victim Name: William Hernandez, (W/M)
Victim DOB: 10/23/1970
Victim Address: 11800 S.W. 204th Street
  Miami , Florida
Victim #5:
Victim Name: Alejandro Alfonso Milian, (W/M)
Victim DOB: 06/13/1989
Victim Address: 1900 W 68th Street #F305
  Hialeah , Florida
Subject #1:
Subject Name: Tom Bennett, (W/M)
Subject DOB: 06/29/1948
Subject Age: 65
Subject Address: 260 Crandon Boulevard
  Key Biscayne, Florida
Subject Charges: Grant Theft, Money Laundering / Unlawful Proceeds, Organized Fraud, Real Estate Broker / Without License
Subject #2:
Subject Name: Humberto Gamez, (W/M)
Subject DOB: 04/18/1955
Subject Age: 58
Subject Address: 10700 N.W. 66th Street
  Miami, Florida
Subject Charges: Grant Theft, Money Laundering / Unlawful Proceeds, Organized Fraud, Real Estate Broker / Without License
Subject #3:
Subject Name: Manuel Mulet, (W/M)
Subject DOB: 03/09/1962
Subject Age: 51
Subject Address: 4052 Anissa Avenue
  Orlando, Florida
Subject Charges: Grant Theft, Money Laundering / Unlawful Proceeds, Organized Fraud, Real Estate Broker / Without License


Organized Scheme To Defraud

Seeking Additional Victims


(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- 

The Miami-Dade Police Department, Economic Crimes Bureau, has concluded an investigation involving a real-estate fraud scam totaling over $230,000.00 dollars. The investigation began approximately 21 months ago when detectives received a complaint from victims regarding Tom Bennett.  The subjects were operating under the corporation Orion Capital Ventures, with business associates, Humberto Gamez and Manuel Mulet.

The investigation revealed that the victims had given thousands of dollars to Bennett or his associates under the notion that they were placing a deposit to purchase various properties.  Bennett advised victims that he worked for Miami-Dade County Commissioners Rebecca Sosa, Javier Souto, and Joe Martinez and that properties belonged to Miami-Dade County. The subjects did not have the authority or permission at anytime to sell the properties on behalf of the Commissioners or Miami-Dade County.  

Tom Bennett was arrested on Wednesday, October 9, 2013.  Humberto Gamez was arrested on October 15, 2013 and Manuel Mulet was arrested in Orlando, Florida on Wednesday, October 16, 2013. 

“County Commissioners work diligently to serve their community in a prestigious manner and the community’s trust is the utmost importance.  Anyone that uses a public official’s name for personal gain and places the community’s trust at risk must be brought to justice.” Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa & Commissioner Javier Souto.

“It is a shame that individuals utilize the names of elected officials to prey on the citizens of this community in an effort to make a quick buck. I sincerely hope the full weight of the law bears down on these individuals.” Commissioner Joe Martinez

Additional Victims:

Victim #6 Jasmine Mellado (W/F), 7115 S.W. 148th Court, Miami Florida
Victim #7 Enrique Guzman Kovell (W/M), 12324 S.W. 254th Terrace, Miami Florida
Victim #8 Alejandro Justiz (W/M), 9660 Fontainebleau Boulevard, Miami Florida
Victim #9 Jans Rovira (W/M), 905 Brickell Bay Drive #1427, Miami Florida
 
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact CrimeStoppers
(305)471-TIPS (8477) or (866) 471-8477
Visit www.crimestoppersmiami.com and select “Give a Tip”
Send a text message to 274637. Enter CSMD followed by the tip information and press send.
   

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MIAMI DADE POLICE DEPARTMENT
9105 Northwest 25th Street Doral, FL 33172-1500
Doral, FL 33172-1500
(305)471-1780