A 67-year-old Cuban woman, Ana María Núñez, has been arrested again by Miami police in connection with a fraudulent investment scheme totaling $105,000. Núñez is a well-known scammer with a lengthy history of fraud. Local 10 reported that she is currently accused of deceiving the owner of a barber shop in Miami over two years ago.
Current Case Under Investigation by Miami Police
The scam began on April 1, 2022, when Núñez was introduced to the barber shop owner by an employee of KukyEstilo Barbershop, located in the Allapattah neighborhood. Núñez proposed a quick money-making opportunity involving the sale of satellites to China, promising that a $50,000 investment would yield $100,000 in return.
Convinced it was a lucrative deal, the barber shop owner agreed to invest and on April 11, 2022, he transferred $50,000 to Núñez’s account at Bank of America. Just four days later, on April 15, 2022, a second agreement was signed for another $50,000, with the promise of a $200,000 return. The owner once again transferred the money to Núñez.
The third payment occurred on May 16, 2022, when Núñez requested an additional $5,000 to finalize the investment. The victim complied, issuing a check for the amount. Despite these agreements, the victim never received any returns, and Núñez ceased all communication with him. By May 20, 2022, the initial investment's due date, it became evident that the promises were fraudulent.
The police determined that ATP Expediter and Investment, the company mentioned in the agreement, did not exist. Bank records confirmed the transfers to Núñez’s account, leading to her arrest by the Miami Police Department’s Felony Apprehension Team last Wednesday. Núñez now faces charges of first-degree grand theft and organized fraud. She is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center without bond.
History of Ana María Núñez’s Frauds
Ana María Núñez is no stranger to the world of fraud. Her criminal history dates back to 1996, and she has been involved in multiple scam cases in South Florida. Among her victims are vulnerable individuals, including the elderly and cancer patients.
In May 2022, this Cuban national was arrested in a case of elder exploitation in Doral, where, along with her son, Pablo Figueroa, she stole $437,107 from a cancer patient. Posing as the elderly person’s daughter and Figueroa as a financial advisor, they used fraudulent means to obtain the money.
In December 2021, Núñez convinced a group of people to invest in a non-existent company, promising returns of up to 75 percent. She provided fraudulent contracts and had no intention of paying the promised returns or returning the money.
Miami-Dade court records show a series of previous convictions for organized fraud and grand theft. Núñez has been known to threaten her victims and disappear when investors attempt to locate her. Authorities believe she has been defrauding people her entire life. The Miami-Dade Police continue to investigate and are trying to locate more victims of Ana María Núñez.
Understanding the Fraud Scheme of Ana María Núñez
Here are some common questions and answers to better understand the fraudulent activities involving Ana María Núñez.
What investment scheme did Ana María Núñez propose?
Núñez proposed a fraudulent investment scheme involving the sale of satellites to China, promising large returns on the money invested.
How did Núñez deceive her victims?
Núñez convinced her victims to transfer large sums of money by promising significant returns, but she had no intention of fulfilling these promises.
What charges is Ana María Núñez currently facing?
Núñez is facing charges of first-degree grand theft and organized fraud.
What is Ana María Núñez's criminal history?
Núñez has a long history of fraud dating back to 1996, involving multiple cases of organized scams and grand theft in South Florida.