Local

Squatter legally living mortgage-free in $2.5M Boca mansion

BOCA RATON. Fla. — A south Florida man has made himself at home in a $2.5 million mansion that he does not own and does not pay mortgage.

The 23-year-old Brazilian man has been squatting in the waterfront home in Boca Raton, using an obscure real estate law.

WFTV found out Andre Barbosa filed paperwork, and as long as he pays any taxes and liens the home, it could be his in seven years.

Reports said Barbosa moved in last September after the last owner, who was unable to keep up the mortgage payments, moved out.

The squatter filed legal papers citing "Adverse Possession," which is an obscure 19th century state law that allows someone to claim an empty property by occupying it for seven years.

On his Facebook page, Barbosa's nickname is "Loki," after the Norse god of mischief.

Barbosa posted a "No Trespassing" notice on the lawn.

Barbosa's neighbors were not amused, saying "Nobody's happy. We all spent a lot of money to live on this street."

Adverse Possession is legal in all 50 states.

Bank of America holds the deed and said it is working with police to look into the situation.

In a statement the bank said, "We have filed the appropriate and immediate legal action to have this trespasser removed from the property."