A Broward County man who swindled senior citizens out of money by posing as a contractor is under arrest, officials say.
This is the second arrest for Niraj Sethi in less than a month on similar charges, according to the Florida Division of Insurance Fraud.
Sethi was first arrested as a part of an undercover sting in Tamarac in January. At that time, Sethi was found to be contracting work without a license and operating without workers' compensation insurance.
After recognizing his mugshot, an elderly Palm Beach County Couple contacted the Broward State Attorney's Office. According to the office, Sethi contracted with the couple for work on their Boynton Beach home, but instead, ran off with their $5,000 deposit, leading to Sethi's second arrest.
Sethi faces a host of charges, including felony unlicensed contracting, working without workers' compensation coverage and grand theft. He could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The Florida Division of Insurance Fraud believes there may be additional consumers in the South Florida area, particularly seniors, who may have fallen victim to one of Sethi's scams.
Anyone who thinks they may have been targeted is asked to call the Florida Division of Insurance Fraud anti-fraud hotline at 1 (800) 378-0445.
