Cuban model Haniset Rodríguez recently broke her silence on social media after being absent for over a year. She stunned her followers by revealing she had fallen prey to a multi-million-dollar real estate scam in South Florida. "Hello, hello everyone, how are you? Stay tuned because this information could help you avoid what happened to me over a year ago. I was scammed, and that's why I've been off social media," she explained in an Instagram video.
Rodríguez described how the ordeal led to severe depression, forcing her to withdraw from public life while pursuing legal action against those responsible. She recounted investing in multiple plots of land and, on the advice of a trusted real estate agent, handing over a substantial sum to a construction company to develop homes intended for sale.
"Everything seemed legitimate, with signed documents and everything appearing in order. I never thought something like this could happen to me. These people vanished, stopped answering calls, and did absolutely nothing," she recounted. Upon investigation, Rodríguez discovered she was one of many victims of an organized scam network based in Cape Coral.
"There are more than 11 families affected by these individuals. They've taken a lot of money from many people. We're talking about one person losing $100,000, another losing even more, and so on," she stated. Rodríguez has already filed a lawsuit with her attorney, and the case is progressing in court. "Thank God the lawsuit is in my favor. Now, we have to wait for the process of recovering the money, which is all I've wanted so far," she said.
The model issued a warning that some Cuban artists and influencers have been unknowingly collaborating with these scammers, even promoting their restaurant ventures in Cape Coral. Although she didn't name anyone, she urged her peers to exercise caution.
Rodríguez emphasized that the impact was not just financial but also emotional. "The emotional damage has been incredible, both for me and others involved. Some were driven to thoughts of suicide. Imagine an elderly person who worked their entire life to save money, only to have it taken away," she concluded.
Insights into Real Estate Scams in Florida
How did Haniset Rodríguez become a victim of a real estate scam?
Haniset Rodríguez invested in land and paid a construction company to develop homes, but the company turned out to be part of a scam network that vanished without fulfilling their obligations.
What actions did Rodríguez take after discovering the scam?
Rodríguez filed a lawsuit with her lawyer, and the case is currently proceeding in court, with a ruling in her favor to recover the lost funds.
What advice did Rodríguez give to others to avoid similar scams?
Rodríguez urged others to be cautious, especially highlighting that some Cuban artists and influencers were unknowingly promoting ventures linked to the scammers.