JENSEN BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — An 18-year-old man is facing multiple felony charges after deputies say he ran a fraud scheme out of a Martin County Airbnb—activity investigators say was captured on a Ring doorbell camera.
According to an arrest affidavit from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Jose Angel Delgado was taken into custody on Thursday, March 19, following an investigation into suspicious activity at an Airbnb property on Northeast Alice Street.
The investigation began when the homeowner reported unusual foot traffic at the residence, where only two guests were expected, the arrest affidavit says. The homeowner told deputies that surveillance footage from a Ring doorbell camera showed numerous people entering and leaving the home throughout the day and night.
The homeowner also reported overhearing conversations through the device in which individuals appeared to be posing as bank employees and discussing customers’ financial information, according to the affidavit.
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Detectives reviewed the footage and said Delgado could be heard making phone calls while impersonating a Bank of America representative. Investigators allege he would alter his voice while speaking to victims and then switched back to his normal voice when speaking with others inside the home.
Authorities say the suspects contacted victims and convinced them to provide sensitive information, including bank account details and Social Security numbers.
The arrest report says one victim told investigators she received a text alert about fraudulent activity and later spoke with someone claiming to be from her bank. Believing the call was legitimate, she provided her personal and financial information. She later discovered the call was not from her bank and reported the incident to authorities, according to the affidavit.
Investigators also determined the victim’s phone service had been manipulated, temporarily rerouting her incoming calls to a number linked to the suspects.
Detectives conducted surveillance on the property and later stopped a vehicle leaving the residence, taking Delgado and several others into custody without incident, the arrest report reads. A search warrant was subsequently executed at the home.
During interviews, several individuals denied involvement in the alleged scheme. Delgado declined to speak with investigators and requested an attorney, according to the report.
Based on the investigation, deputies said Delgado used fraudulent pretenses to obtain victims’ financial and personal information.
He is charged with scheme to defraud, unlawful use of a two-way communications device and criminal use of personal identification. He was transported to the Martin County Jail.