DESOTO COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) – A Miami man was arrested after deputies said he used a fake DeSoto County government email to scam a resident out of nearly $4,000.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office said the victim was already seeking permit approval through the DeSoto County Planning and Building Department when they received an email posing as the “DeSoto County Board of Adjustment.” The victim paid $3,950 in what they believed were permit fees, according to the sheriff’s office.
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Investigators said the money was deposited into a bank account named “DESOTO COUNTY-BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT,” but the account holder was identified as Jose Alfonso Dejesus, of Miami.
Detective Jason Baun was assigned to the case and identified Dejesus as the suspect by April, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies said Dejesus does not work for DeSoto County.
An arrest warrant was issued charging Dejesus with scheme to defraud, less than $20,000. He was recently located and arrested in Winter Garden.
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