The South Miami Police Department has concluded a 3 month fraud investigation which led to the arrest of Claudio Nieto. On July 2nd 2017, Michael Miller, the owner of Your Hometown Newspaper, contacted the South Miami Police Department in reference to fraudulent activity on the business account occurring over the past two years. Miller stated that there were numerous fraudulent transactions totaling over $250,000.00.
South Miami Police Detective Lisa King led the investigation and tracked the fraudulent activity back to Mr. Nieto. Detective King determined that Mr. Nieto obtained information of the Hometown Newspaper, specifically the routing and account numbers, and used this information to pay his personal expenses. Detective King found that Mr. Nieto embezzled nearly $295,000.00 by forging and issuing hundreds of ACH payments and forged checks to numerous companies for his own benefit.
On Monday October 30th, 2017, a search warrant was executed on Mr. Nieto’s residence, at which time several electronic devices and bank records were seized. Mr. Nieto was arrested and charged with the following felony offenses:
- Criminal use of Personal Information, $100,000.00 or more
- Organized scheme to defraud, $50,000.00
- Grand Theft 1st Degree
For further information please contact Captain Larry Corbin (PIO), at 305-663- 6351.
