AVENTURA, Fla. — Two brothers from Aventura are accused of running an investment scam that defrauded at least four victims out of nearly $1 million, which police say they used to support a lavish South Florida lifestyle.
Hugo Leonel Amaya, 44, and Enmanuel Armando Amaya, 48, were arrested Thursday on multiple felony charges, including grand theft, organized scheme to defraud, and securities fraud, according to the Aventura Police Department.
The brothers, both born in New York, lived in a luxury high-rise on Williams Island, authorities said. The investigation began after a maintenance worker on the property reported being approached by the pair in October 2023 with what they called a real estate investment opportunity.
The victim told police he was promised a 10% return for investing $30,000 in a property deal. After wiring the money, months passed with no return. He eventually received only $3,500 and repeated excuses from Hugo Amaya, who later claimed the funds were being reinvested in a property in Mexico.
Police said other victims reported similar experiences — one lost $200,000, another $140,000 for an alleged property in Cleveland that had never been sold, and a fourth invested additional funds through HLA Investments, a company tied to the brothers.
According to the arrest report, none of the $920,000 collected from victims was used for legitimate investments. Instead, the brothers allegedly used the funds to pay off credit cards, book luxury travel, rent high-end vehicles, buy designer clothing, and dine at expensive restaurants.
Authorities arrested the Amayas at their residence at 2800 Island Blvd. Both were booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on $35,000 bonds each. A judge ordered that any bond payments must be proven to come from legitimate sources.
