Full Breakdown
Driveway Ripped Up in Alleged International Scam
7/3/2026, 5:38:59 AM
How the Scam Operated
In February, Luz Lenzi returned to her Sanford, Florida home to find her driveway torn up and removed. Police determined that an individual posing as a real-estate representative hired a contractor, paid with a $15,000 check from New Mexico-registered “SOIL Realty LLC,” and then vanished when the check bounced. Tracing the check’s bank and email records led investigators to internet addresses in Nigeria.
Key Parties
- Luz Lenzi – Homeowner and victim.
- SOIL Realty LLC – New Mexico-registered company whose check funded the fraud.
- Unnamed Contractor – Local service provider who began the driveway removal and later reimbursed Lenzi.
- Police – Conducted the investigation and identified the Nigerian connection.
Timeline
- February 2023 – Lenzi discovers her driveway missing.
- Shortly after – Contractor receives the $15,000 check and begins work.
- Following days – Check bounces; contractor stops work.
- Subsequent investigation – Police trace the check to Nigeria and the contractor reimburses Lenzi.
Financial and Property Details
The fraudulent payment was a $15,000 check issued by SOIL Realty LLC. The property is located in Sanford, a residential area about 30 miles north of Orlando, and was listed for sale at the time of the incident.
Official Findings and Responses
Police concluded the scheme was orchestrated from Nigeria, using a legitimate-sounding company name to secure a payment that failed. The contractor initially claimed to be a victim of the same fraud but, after police involvement, reimbursed Lenzi for the repair costs. The contractor declined further comment to News 6.
Counterpoints
The contractor’s assertion that they were also defrauded contrasts with Lenzi’s self-characterization as a loser in the situation, highlighting divergent views of responsibility.
On-the-Ground Report
Lenzi told News 6 she had not hired anyone to redo the driveway and said she was shocked to learn the person was from Nigeria. She later said she felt like a loser in the whole thing.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Investigators have not determined how the scammers intended to profit from the driveway removal, and the motive for targeting Lenzi’s property remains unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I didn’t hire them, I didn’t need to have my driveway redone,” — Luz Lenzi, Homeowner
- “I said, Nigeria, like in Africa? And he said, yes,” — Luz Lenzi, Homeowner
- “I said, how? I was shocked.” — Luz Lenzi, Homeowner
- “I was a loser in the whole thing,” — Luz Lenzi, Homeowner
Why It Matters
The case demonstrates how cross-border fraud can infiltrate ordinary consumer transactions, underscoring the need for rigorous verification of payment instruments and heightened vigilance against remote real-estate scams.
