The Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) today announced that Marko Dejanovic was arrested for his role in an alleged fraudulent investment scheme. Victim losses are estimated to be more than $377,000.
CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “Our OFR and DIFS teams are committed to rooting out fraud and protecting Florida consumers. Fraud in all forms is wrong but it’s especially upsetting when it’s perpetrated by someone you thought you could trust with your investments, only to have them line their pockets with your hard-earned money. Thank you to my fraud detectives, OFR, and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office for all of the hard work you do to bring bad actors to justice and help make Florida fraud free.”
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said, “It is shameful when people defraud hard-working members of our community. I am very proud of the partnership my Economic Crimes Unit prosecutors have with the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, and the Office of Financial Regulation. Together, we will continue to investigate thoroughly any criminal activity by fraudsters like Marko Dejanovic and prosecute them to the furthest extent of the law.”
OFR Commissioner Russell C. Weigel, III said, “Thank you to OFR’s investigative team, the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office for their tireless effort in this case. The Office of Financial Regulation will continue to work with our partners to bring financial criminals to justice.”
Dejanovic allegedly represented himself as a real estate developer, investor, and lender who could achieve high rates of return on investments and solicited funds from investors through a social club and by word of mouth. He also offered an investment opportunity in historical Petchili Chinese bonds. He purportedly showed fictitious investment documents, letters and emails from financial institutions. Once investors agreed to invest, he allegedly presented them with promissory notes and investment contracts offering wildly unrealistic returns on their investments. However, rather than investing the funds as promised, Dejanovic allegedly used investors’ money to fund his lifestyle.
The case was investigated by the OFR, and the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, secured the arrest. The case is being prosecuted by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office.
Floridians who suspect questionable financial business practices are encouraged to file a complaint online at www.flofr.gov, or by calling (850) 487-9687.
