PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – A 47-year-old man accused of scamming seniors living at Century Village out of thousands of dollars was arrested Wednesday.
Ariel Hernandez faces two counts of theft from persons 65 or older.
Pembroke Pines police said Hernandez embezzled at least $200,000 from two Century Village residents, and two more have come forward.
Hernandez was a licensed financial planner, but his license has since been revoked.
Police said Hernandez befriended many of his victims while working at a bank adjacent to Century Village. Police said he would invest their money, but he also wired thousands of dollars at a time from their account to his.
Another financial planner for a Century Village resident noticed the irregularities and called police.
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Police said Hernandez even recruited his victims from the retirement community.
"There were fliers delivered throughout Century Village during different periods and those fliers had information inviting seniors to a free lunch, and at that free lunch there would be presentations made regarding financial planning where the suspect was present at," Capt. Al Xiques said. "His exact involvement is still part of this investigation."
A judge set Hernandez's bond at $200,000 Thursday, but that amount could be increased when more charges are expected to be filed Friday.
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