Hazleton Homeowners who fell for the real estate scam perpetuated by former real estate agent, Ignacio Beato, have seen a new light of hope when the man who stripped them of their homes and dreams was finally caught in Florida.
Times Leader reported that the authorities have captured Ignacio Beato at the Orlando International Airport in Orlando, Florida. He was then attempting to go back to the country from the Dominican Republic.
Beato was charged with felony charges of forgery, theft and theft by deception, for alleged fraudulent real estate sales, by the Luzerne County District Attorney and the Pennsylvania State Police.
According to the past report of Realty Today, Beato used his position as a real estate agent to have access to vacant homes and sold the homes using fake paperwork. Unsuspecting buyers thought the home was already theirs and moved in, only to find out that they have been victimized by a real estate scam, when an eviction notice was served to them.
In an interview by Newswatch 16 with Felix Cabrera, one of the victims of Beato's real estate scam, Cabrera told Newswatch 16 that he was so happy that finally justice will be served for those who fell victim to Beato.
"I'm so (emotional), not because they caught him, because now basically they're going to do justice," said Cabrera. "What he did to me, he shouldn't be doing to anybody as the human beings that we are."
"He was not alone on this. Maybe he could speak up now and bring all the ones who [actually] helped him out," Cabrera added.
Most of the victims of Beato are Dominicans. According to Greater Hazleton's Association of Realtors, Beato is suspected of scamming at least 50 people out of more than $1 million.
The victims of Beato may still wait a little longer before they can finally face their scammer in court. Beato is currently detained and is waiting for extradition from Florida.
