KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Action 9 is investigating a local investment company that sold two different families the same Kissimmee home it didn't own.
The home buyers lost tens of thousands of dollars and are left without a clear title to a place to live.
Todd Ulrich tracked down the man behind the bad deals that has triggered an FBI investigation.
“For me, it's terrible. It's terrible. It's my house,” said Edgar Diaz.
Diaz and his wife thought they owned the Kissimmee home.
Despite their poor credit, Edward Encarnacion and his company, The Alexan Group, sold it to them after collecting a $60,000 down payment.
But they never received a clear title to the home. Diaz said he complained, and was told, "In two months you (will) receive the deed, and its fine, and I say, 'OK'.”
Instead, months later, their nightmare began.
They found a sheriff's deputy at the front door serving eviction papers. They were kicked out by a woman who claimed she bought their house.
County documents showed Diaz’s home was sold again to a new buyer, and it was sold by another company related to Edward Encarnacion.
“That person sold my house to two different persons. It's a scheme,” said Diaz.
The new buyer tried to evict Diaz and his wife, but a judge temporarily blocked the eviction.
“Was he taken?” asked Todd Ulrich.
“He was,” replied attorney Karen Wonsetler.
Wonsetler reviewed Diaz’s sale documents and said The Alexan Group collected for a sale it never completed.
“The mortgage wasn't recorded, there was no deed ever issued to him, and he didn't go to a title company. All red flags,” she said.
The Alexan Group's office is empty.
Ulrich tried to find Encarnacion at his home. He wasn’t there, but a family member had Encarnacion call Ulrich.
Encarnacion claimed Diaz was an investor, hoping to buy the house. But Encarnacion told Ulrich he will give Diaz a full refund.
“I don't understand what happened. It's terrible terrible. Terrible,” said Diaz.
But the second buyer paid for a home she can't move into.
Action 9 confirmed the FBI is investigating the home sales.
Encarnacion was adjudicated guilty of fraud in 2007 for making false claim of academic degree/title.
Cox Media Group
