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Altamonte Springs investment company owner arrested in alleged Ponzi scheme

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — The owner of an Altamonte Springs investment company was arrested in an alleged Ponzi scheme Thursday morning.

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According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Americo “Rick” Antunes used his business, Investgis Platinum Bay Capital Management, to defraud victims in Seminole, Orange and Lake counties out of nearly $2 million.

The arrest was part of joint investigation was by FDLE, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Financial Crimes Taskforce and the Office of Financial Regulation (OFR).

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Investigators say victims thought they were giving Antunes money to invest, but he instead used the money to fund his lifestyle and operate another company he owned.

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Antunes was booked into the John E. Polk Correctional Facility on racketeering charges and held on an $80,000 bond.

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Matt Reeser

Matt Reeser, WFTV.com

Matt Reeser joined WFTV in 1998 as a news photographer and has worked for television stations in Kentucky and West Virginia.