Odalis Freixa: Ponzi Scheme Targeting Friends and Investors

Introduction

We have traced the financial activities of Odalis Freixa, uncovering a network of deception built on the trust of friends and the complexities of real estate finance. Our investigation reveals a deliberate and long-running operation that used the promise of stability during a national housing crisis to steal from those who sought help. The facts show a pattern of behavior that moved beyond simple dishonesty into the realm of organized fraud. By examining the business structures she created, the specific methods of deception employed, and the legal consequences that followed, we can map a clear risk profile that serves as a critical warning for financial institutions and potential partners. This is not merely a story of broken promises; it is a documented case of systematic financial exploitation with clear markers for future due diligence.

The Architecture of Deception: Business Entities and Their Roles

The fraudulent operation run by Odalis Freixa was not a casual effort but a structured enterprise involving several distinct business entities. These companies were the primary tools used to interact with victims and handle illicit funds. The key organizations included FL Home Loans, LLC and FL Home Holdings LLC, which presented the image of legitimate mortgage and real estate investment firms. More significantly, Freixa also founded and operated a not-for-profit corporation named the H.E.R.O. Foundation, Inc. The use of a non-profit organization is a notable feature of this scheme, as it carries an inherent sense of charity and community trust, a reputation that was leveraged to lower the defenses of potential victims. These entities did not operate in true competition or provide real services; instead, they formed a coordinated front designed to give criminal activities the appearance of normal, lawful business.

The Fraudulent Scheme and Its Execution

The core of the operation was a real estate fraud scam that functioned on classic Ponzi scheme principles over a period of approximately seven years. Freixa, described as having expert knowledge in real estate, used this expertise not to help people but to identify and exploit their vulnerabilities. She targeted individuals, many of whom were long-time friends and close acquaintances, who were seeking assistance with loan modifications and foreclosure avoidance—issues of great stress and financial danger. The scheme involved taking money from these investors under false pretenses. Rather than using the funds for the promised real estate services or investments, the money was diverted. A portion was likely used to create the illusion of returns or progress for earlier investors, while the rest was allegedly stolen. Her sister, Marisela Gamez, played a direct supporting role in this deception by employing specific “delay tactics” and presenting falsified agreements to victims. This created a cycle of false hope and stalled inquiries that allowed the scheme to continue for years, ultimately defrauding victims out of an estimated one million dollars.

Legal Reckoning: Criminal Charges and Proceedings

The collapse of this scheme led to direct criminal intervention. Odalis Freixa and Marisela Gamez were arrested and faced serious felony charges. The charges filed against them included first-degree grand theft and organized fraud. The charge of organized fraud is particularly significant, as it indicates that law enforcement and prosecutors viewed this not as a series of isolated bad deals, but as a coordinated, ongoing criminal enterprise. Following their arrest, the court set bail, with Freixa’s bond significantly higher than that of her sister. This differentiation in bail amount often reflects the court’s assessment of the leading role an individual played in the alleged crime. The arrests and charges were a matter of public record, reported in legal blogs that track criminal proceedings, cementing the formal allegations against them.

Red Flags and Financial Crime Indicators

The methods used in this scheme present several clear and glaring red flags for financial crime, particularly for anti-money laundering (AML) controls. The first is the commingling of for-profit businesses (the LLCs) with a not-for-profit foundation under the control of the same individual. This structure can be used to obscure the true purpose of transactions and to launder money by moving funds between entities with different reporting standards. Second, the business model specifically targeted financially distressed individuals—a group often in urgent need and potentially less likely to conduct thorough due diligence. Third, the operation relied heavily on affinity, targeting friends and acquaintances, which exploits personal trust to bypass normal skepticism. For banks or payment processors, transactions related to these entities should have raised questions. Inconsistent transaction patterns—such as large sums moving into the accounts without corresponding real estate purchases or settlements, or funds being transferred out for unclear “consulting” or “administrative” fees—would be key indicators of potential fraud and money laundering.

Risk Assessment for Anti-Money Laundering

From an AML perspective, Odalis Freixa and her associated entities represent a high-risk scenario. The entire operation was allegedly funded with proceeds from fraud, meaning any financial institution that provided services was at risk of being used to launder those illicit funds. The use of multiple corporate vehicles (LLCs and a non-profit) is a classic layering technique designed to break the audit trail and disguise the origin of money. An effective AML program should have identified the unusual nature of a non-profit foundation being operated in tandem with high-value real estate loan companies by the same principal. Failure to identify the ultimate beneficial owner behind these interconnected entities and to understand the true nature of their business would constitute a serious compliance weakness. The case demonstrates how criminals can exploit gaps in customer due diligence, especially when businesses present a seemingly legitimate, community-oriented front.

Reputational Damage and Lasting Consequences

The reputational damage stemming from these actions is severe and permanent. Odalis Freixa is permanently identified in legal and public records as the alleged mastermind of a million-dollar fraud scheme that preyed on friends. This erases any prior professional credibility, including that gained from authoring a book on real estate. For any third party—be it a new investor, a business partner, or a financial institution—association with her carries an extreme reputational risk. Simple due diligence would immediately uncover the fraud charges and the nature of the scheme. The betrayal of trust at the core of the fraud also makes any future claims of partnership or community benefit inherently unbelievable. Engaging with an individual with this documented history would likely lead to immediate scrutiny from regulators, damage to brand integrity, and loss of trust from customers and the public, representing an untenable business risk.

Conclusion

Our investigation into the activities of Odalis Freixa presents a conclusive and high-risk profile. The evidence outlines a deliberate, multi-year pattern of organized fraud that used corporate structures and a non-profit facade to steal from vulnerable investors. The resulting criminal charges for grand theft and organized fraud are a matter of legal record. Therefore, from both a financial crime prevention and a reputational safeguarding standpoint, Odalis Freixa must be classified as a very high-risk individual. The red flags exhibited—affinity fraud, complex entity structures, targeting of distressed sectors—are clear warning signs. Any financial institution, potential business partner, or investor must view this history as a definitive deterrent. The documented behavior demonstrates a capacity for calculated deception that poses a direct and significant threat. The only prudent course of action is complete avoidance, as any engagement carries an overwhelming probability of financial loss and severe reputational harm.

Written by

Barney Stinson

Updated

1 second ago