Rent-scam probe now targets son of Florida real estate agent

The son of a Lake Worth, Fla., man arrested this month in an alleged rent-fraud scam is wanted for acting as an accomplice in the crime, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday.

Sheriff's investigators are searching for Andrew Arce, who is believed to have fled the United States. They also are searching for a third man also suspected of having been involved in the scam. Authorities have not released his name.

Deputies arrested Arce's father, 43-year-old real estate agent Steven Arce, on June 6 after at least five people alleged that he scammed them out of rent money. The financial loss to the alleged victims was estimated at more than $11,000, the sheriff's office said.

Real estate fraud

According to an arrest report for Steven Arce, Andrew Arce told investigators this month the he is a licensed Realtor who was helping his father with a deal.

One woman told investigators in May that she paid a $1,500 deposit to a man named "Abraham" for a residence in Lake Worth. After she paid, the woman was unable to gain access to the residence and the telephone numbers by "Abraham" were disconnected.

Authorities believe that "Abraham" was actually Steven Arce.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the sheriff's office at 561-202-9652, or Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County at 800-458-TIPS (8477).

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Mortgage fraud Real estate Enforcement Florida
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