Artificial intelligence is now playing a role in real estate fraud, and one first-time buyer in South Florida nearly lost $52,000 because of it. Udi Levi, a 19-year-old aspiring real estate investor, found himself in the middle of a scam while trying to purchase a vacant lot in Hallandale Beach. The property seemed legitimate at first, with matching IDs and documents provided by a supposed seller who communicated solely via text, claiming to be deaf.
Everything seemed fine until a Zoom call, required by Florida Title & Trust for the closing, raised suspicions. The seller’s video feed, although appearing to match the ID photos, began acting strangely. After a few failed commands, the team quickly realized that they were looking at an AI-generated image.
It was later discovered that the true owner of the property had passed away, and the niece, who had been paying the property taxes, had no intention of selling. Thanks to the keen eye of the title company, Udi avoided losing his investment to the scam. Both Miami Dade Police and Broward Sheriff’s Office confirmed this was the first case they had seen involving AI in real estate fraud—but it’s a warning that more such cases could emerge.
Udi is thankful the scam was caught in time and plans to conduct future closings in person to avoid potential fraud. This case serves as a reminder for property buyers and owners to stay vigilant, as even verified documents and ID can be manipulated in the digital age.
