A Cuban man residing in South Florida found himself behind bars after being implicated in a scam that deprived a local business of hundreds of pounds of lobster, a highly sought-after and expensive seafood item.
The incident came to light through a report by Local 10, which cited details from the Medley Police Department regarding the arrest of 32-year-old Denis Paredes Matos, a resident of Hialeah.
According to law enforcement, the scam targeted Tarpon Bay Corporation, a seafood wholesaler based in Medley. The alleged perpetrator tricked the company using credit card payments that were never processed.
The fraudulent activity began when a man known only as "Aldofo" placed an initial order for 100 pounds of lobster, worth approximately $4,500. Paredes Matos picked up this order the next day, after the merchant was led to believe the payment had gone through.
Soon after, the same individual requested a much larger order of about 600 pounds of lobster, valued at nearly $15,000, attempting to split the payment across several credit cards. Although some of the transactions were declined, two appeared to be approved, allowing the products to leave the premises once more. It wasn't until Sunday that the bank notified the company owner that the payments had never been finalized, exposing the ruse.
Rather than disappearing, the scammer attempted to place another similar order on Monday. This time, the business owner contacted the police, who set up a sting operation and awaited the messenger's arrival. Paredes Matos was apprehended when he returned to collect the lobster.
During questioning, Paredes Matos claimed that he was merely fulfilling delivery tasks assigned by an individual he met while working as an Uber driver. He identified this person as Luis Ramón Díaz and stated he was to receive $500 for each delivery, according to the police report referenced by Local 10.
Paredes Matos is facing charges for his role in an organized fraud scheme and was taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where he remains in custody with a bail set at $2,500.
Additionally, jail records indicate that Paredes Matos has an immigration hold, complicating his legal status in the United States.
As of now, there are no official records of any arrests under the name of the alleged mastermind behind the scam, leaving many questions unanswered about who orchestrated the fraud and whether more arrests will follow.
Insights on Lobster Fraud Case in Florida
What charges is Denis Paredes Matos facing?
Denis Paredes Matos is charged with participating in an organized scheme to defraud, as per the police report.
What was the role of "Aldofo" in the scam?
The individual known as "Aldofo" was responsible for placing fraudulent orders and was part of the scam targeting Tarpon Bay Corporation.
What happened with the payments for the lobster orders?
The payments for the lobster orders were never processed, which led to the realization that the orders were fraudulent.
Is there an immigration hold on Denis Paredes Matos?
Yes, Denis Paredes Matos faces an immigration hold, which adds complexity to his legal situation in the U.S.