Group swindles Miami-Dade homeowner associations out of $5.8 million: deputies

Six people are accused of being involved in a scheme to steal at least $5.8 million from condominium and homeowner associations throughout Miami-Dade County, the sheriff’s office said.

Read more Drunk drivers who killed man asleep in bed and another driving charged: deputies

The ringleader, Juan Awais, 60, used his property-management companies and affiliated vendors to exert control over associations under his management, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said in a Thursday statement. He allegedly misled “elderly, primarily Spanish-speaking board members” into signing documents that they didn’t fully understand, allowing him to control association operations and finances for personal gain.

Mira Villa Condo Association, Los Sueños Condo, Samari Lake East Condo Association, Lago Grande and Country Lake Manors were all targeted. Most of them are in or near Hialeah except for Mira Villa, which is close to Miami International Airport.

The two-year investigation, dubbed “Operation Sundown,” uncovered an alleged racketeering enterprise involving family members, employees and several undisclosed affiliated companies, the sheriff’s office said. The group is accused of diverting association dues, insurance, loan proceeds and collection revenues (others fees such as fines or special assessments) while concealing the flow of the money.

“Investigators also uncovered alleged efforts to obstruct the investigation through incomplete or newly created documents and by discouraging board members from speaking with law enforcement,” the sheriff’s office said.

Read more State moved to close ALF after man’s deadly fall. Jackson still sent people there

READ MORE: Ex-Kendall HOA president and her husband admit to roles in $2 million fraud

Awais, Juliet Ramos, Johana Perez Tapia, Delma Alonso, Cynthea Louise Waltz and Michael Irizarry were arrested. They are facing charges of racketeering, money laundering, grand theft and organized fraud, court records show.

Awais was being held Thursday on a $3,002,500 bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, jail records show. Alonso was being held on a $2,202,500 bond; Perez-Tapia a $720,000 bond; Ramos a $722,500 bond. Irizarry and Waltz didn’t appear in Miami-Dade jail records.

They didn’t have attorneys listed yet. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said the investigation is ongoing.

Read more Miami developer Rishi Kapoor sentenced to 11 years in prison for fraud scheme

This story was originally published August 27, 2026 at 6:39 PM.