The promise of a home is more than just bricks and mortar. It is the centerpiece of the American dream—a place of safety, stability, and family memories. But in Hendry County, Florida, that dream was stolen from several families in a sophisticated fraud scheme that turned their hopes into heartbreak.
The scandal centers on Leonardo Arriaga Lopez, once a trusted sales manager for a reputable builder. Families such as Luigi Solosi’s and Denix Lopez and Angela Gonzalez placed their trust in him, believing he represented an established company that would deliver their long-awaited homes. For them, the process seemed straightforward: pay into the project, trust the builder, and watch their dream homes take shape. Instead, their money—more than $300,000—was rerouted into Lopez’s personal accounts. The funds went not into lumber or concrete but into luxury watches, tailored suits, and even a 2025 Cadillac Escalade with every possible upgrade.
When the fraud was exposed, the reputable builder took the extraordinary step of completing the homes for the families at his own expense, determined that they would not suffer the full brunt of Lopez’s deception. Authorities were contacted, and Lopez was arrested, facing charges of a scheme to defraud. For the victims, it seemed like a chapter was closing, with justice finally within reach. Yet the story was only beginning.
While awaiting trial, Lopez was bailed out by his wife, July Villegas Gallego, who was far from a passive supporter. Alongside Lopez and a group of associates including Diego Rosero, Catalina Quiceno, Jorge Botero, Rossy Roche, and Paola Moreno, she helped launch a new venture: American Homes Development LLC. With polished branding, slick online ads, and an enticing message of “lease-to-own” opportunities, the company positioned itself as a gateway for families hoping to enter homeownership.
For Jose Manuel Lobaina and Alexis Aloy, that promise seemed life-changing. They dutifully paid their monthly rents, trusting that the payments would eventually give them the right to purchase their homes. But when the time came, they were told they didn’t qualify. The contracts, written only in English, made no mention of the promised purchase option. Both families, not fluent in English, had relied on the assurances of Rosero and Quiceno—only to realize too late that the words they trusted were lies.
It wasn’t just about lost money. It was about the emotional toll of believing you had secured a future, only to discover it was never yours to begin with. Families spoke of sleepless nights, shame in admitting they had been duped, and the crushing blow of seeing their financial sacrifices evaporate. The lavish image maintained by Lopez and his circle—designer clothing, expensive cars, glamorous appearances—only deepened the sense of betrayal. These outward symbols of success had seemed to confirm their legitimacy. In hindsight, they were glaring red flags.
The cycle of fraud did not stop there. In early 2025, Lopez and one of his companies, Global Business Group LLC, faced another case—this time for contracting without a license. He was found guilty, and the matter was referred to the state attorney’s office for prosecution. Yet despite mounting charges, American Homes Development continued to market aggressively on social media, drawing in new potential clients. Legal delays, fueled by Lopez’s attorneys, allowed the operation to persist, creating the unsettling reality that fraud was thriving in plain sight.
For the victims, the impact has been staggering. Financially, hundreds of thousands of dollars were lost. Emotionally, the scars run even deeper. Trust in the dream of homeownership—and in the people who claim to deliver it—has been shattered. In communities where word of mouth carries weight, reputations have been damaged as victims struggle with feelings of vulnerability and betrayal.
This case highlights a sobering truth about modern life: appearances can be dangerously deceiving. In an age where a sleek website, polished ads, and curated social media feeds can create instant credibility, it has become increasingly difficult for everyday families to separate legitimate businesses from fraudsters. The Florida scam is a painful reminder that trust must be paired with vigilance, and that sometimes the very things that make a company look successful—the flash, the glamour, the “too good to be true” promises—are the very signs that something is wrong.
Yet despite the darkness of this case, the victims remain clear about what justice should look like. They want accountability, not just for Lopez but for every individual who played a role in deceiving hardworking families. They want restitution for the money taken and jail time for those who orchestrated and benefited from the schemes. More than anything, they want to prevent others from falling into the same trap, warning potential buyers and renters to ask hard questions, verify credentials, and never take appearances at face value.
The story unfolding in Hendry County is not just about real estate. It is about the fragility of trust, the dangers of unchecked ambition, and the human cost when greed overrides integrity. For those who lost their money, their time, and their peace of mind, the scars may never fully heal. But by shining a light on these schemes, there is hope that others will think twice before signing contracts with strangers who promise the world while hiding their true intentions.
In the end, the Florida families wanted what so many of us dream of: a home, a future, and security for their loved ones. What they received instead was a painful lesson in how easily those dreams can be stolen. Their story is a reminder to all of us to tread carefully in the pursuit of the dream—and to recognize that sometimes, the brightest appearances hide the darkest truths.
