Broward Woman Accused of Ponzi Scheme

Ruth Rodriguez Liverpool was arrested Monday morning and faces a charge of organized scheme to defraud, authorities said.

 

Detective John Calabro of the Broward Sheriff’s Office says he spent two years tracking Liverpool down.

 

“Ms. Rodriguez Liverpool engaged in what we call a Ponzi scheme,” he said.

 

He added that she would tell investors that funds were insured and guaranteed when they were not, and she essentially recruited people who then brought others on.

 

Detectives said she found her victims through church services that were held at a Broward hotel. The church would rent out a ballroom for their weekly meetings, authorities said.

 

The church said it had nothing to do with the alleged scheme and doesn't condone it.

 

Authorities said that of the 38 known victims, one family allegedly gave her $200,000.

 

Liverpool told victims that her company invested in importing and exporting materials from the Caribbean, authorities said.

 

One woman told authorities she was convinced to invest because she felt reassured by Liverpool’s promise of 10 percent returns, authorities said.

 

Liverpool’s bookkeeper told police that she made no income from any import/export business and that the company existed only from investor funds, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said.

 

Liverpool is in jail on $1,000,000 bond.

 

Her attorney’s name wasn’t immediately known.