A Florida man has been sentenced to 18 months in jail following a year-long undercover investigation into a sophisticated real estate fraud scheme targeting properties in San Luis Obispo County. The operation, which culminated in an arrest at the local airport, exposed a network linked to transnational organized crime that had attempted to fraudulently sell over 100 properties.
Key Takeaways
- Oluwaseun Okuwa of Miami Gardens, Florida, was sentenced to 18 months in jail for attempted grand theft and identity theft.
- The arrest followed an undercover sting where Okuwa was lured to San Luis Obispo to collect a phony $304,000 check.
- Investigators have identified 120 properties in the county targeted by the fraud ring since April 2023.
- A proactive information-sharing network created by the District Attorney's office has so far prevented any successful fraudulent sales.
- Evidence from Okuwa's phone linked him to a Transnational Organized Crime Group and helped stop another fraudulent sale in Virginia.
The Airport Takedown
The investigation reached its climax on November 21, 2025, at the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport. Believing he was there to collect the profits from a fraudulent land sale, Oluwaseun Okuwa was met by undercover investigators from the District Attorney's office.
Investigators presented Okuwa with a certified check for $304,000. To receive it, he signed a document falsely claiming he was a family member of the property's true owner and was authorized to collect the funds on their behalf. The actual owner had previously confirmed they had no knowledge of Okuwa and had not authorized any sale.
Immediately after he signed the document, investigators arrested him. Okuwa later pled guilty to felony charges of attempted grand theft and identity theft. On January 22, 2026, the Honorable Michael S. Frye sentenced him to 12 months in county jail for the theft charge and an additional six months for identity theft.
By the Numbers: The Fraud Scheme's Reach
- 120: Properties in San Luis Obispo County targeted.
- $304,000: The amount of the fraudulent check used in the sting.
- 70: Bank accounts identified as being used to move funds.
- 24: Notary commission stamps that were compromised by the criminals.
- 0: Successfully completed fraudulent sales reported in the county.
Unraveling a Wider Criminal Web
The arrest of Okuwa was a significant breakthrough in a much larger investigation. The District Attorney's Real Estate Fraud Unit first became aware of the scheme in April 2023 when the initial incident was reported.
Following Okuwa's arrest, a search warrant allowed investigators to perform a forensic analysis of his cell phone. The analysis, conducted by the DA’s Central Coast Cyber Forensic Lab, uncovered a trove of incriminating evidence.
"District Attorney Dan Dow urges all real estate professions and property owners to be vigilant against ongoing threats of real estate fraud in San Luis Obispo County."
The phone's data provided direct evidence of Okuwa's involvement in another fraudulent real estate transaction, this one located in Virginia. Authorities were able to notify the escrow company just in time to halt the sale.
More significantly, investigators found text communications between Okuwa and members of what the FBI classifies as a Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) group. These messages detailed the orchestration of various fraudulent activities, confirming that the attempts in San Luis Obispo were not isolated incidents but part of a coordinated international criminal enterprise.
What is Transnational Organized Crime?
According to the FBI, Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) groups are criminal organizations that operate across national borders. They engage in a wide range of illegal activities, including money laundering, cybercrime, and various types of fraud, often corrupting legitimate economies and public officials to achieve their goals.
A Proactive Defense for Property Owners
The success in preventing financial loss to property owners is largely credited to a rapid response by local authorities. After the first fraud attempt was reported, the District Attorney’s office established an information-sharing network with local REALTOR® associations and other real estate entities.
This network created a direct line of communication, allowing real estate professionals to quickly report suspicious activity to Investigator Eric Vitale. This system has been instrumental in blocking potential sales before they could be completed.
Investigators also discovered that many of the 70 bank accounts used in the schemes were opened by individuals who were themselves victims of other types of fraud, highlighting the layered complexity of the criminal operation.
Public Education and Ongoing Vigilance
To further combat these threats, the District Attorney’s Office is taking its efforts public. A free, three-part fraud seminar is scheduled for Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Board of Supervisors Chambers in downtown San Luis Obispo.
One session is specifically designed for real estate professionals to educate them on current fraud tactics and reinforce the importance of the fraud alert system.
District Attorney Dan Dow continues to encourage all property owners and those in the real estate industry to remain alert. Suspicious activity related to property sales should be reported directly to the District Attorney's office to prevent these criminal groups from succeeding.
