Police say a Hollywood man is back in cuffs over a familiar script: big promises, slick screenshots, and a vanishing pile of cash.
Claudio María Cassina, 53, was arrested Wednesday in Broward County after investigators say he talked a Fort Lauderdale-area customer into handing over $13,000 for what turned out to be a bogus stock investment. Detectives say Cassina dangled an 18% return paid out weekly, then made only two small payments before the money dried up. The new arrest comes on the heels of a 2024 case in which he was accused of posing as an investor and allegedly fleecing multiple people out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
According to NBC6 South Florida, the latest scheme traces back to November 2025, when the victim met Cassina at an auto repair shop in the Fort Lauderdale area and agreed to invest. The victim reportedly received only two partial payments that added up to a little more than $800 before the payouts stopped and the excuses started. To keep the victim on the hook, investigators say Cassina sent images that appeared to show trades in progress and an active account.
How The Alleged Scheme Played Out
Police and earlier reporting describe a pattern they say Cassina repeated: present himself as a savvy investor, show screenshots that look like real trading activity, and pay out modest early returns to build trust and attract more money.
In a 2024 probe, he allegedly operated under the company name CMC Option Trade LLC, issued checks that later bounced, and shifted incoming funds into personal withdrawals and transfers. That investigation identified at least six victims and alleged losses topping $250,000, and detectives warned there could be more people affected, according to Local 10.
Legal Status And Police Warning
In the newest case, Cassina faces charges that include grand theft and investment-related fraud, authorities said. The arrest report states that the victim picked Cassina out of a photo lineup for Hollywood police.
Investigators believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. Police have urged anyone who may have been contacted by Cassina about investment opportunities to speak with detectives, according to NBC6 South Florida.
How To Protect Yourself
Regulators say that offers promising guaranteed, unusually high returns are a major warning sign, especially when they begin with an unsolicited in-person pitch or call for unconventional payment methods. The SEC's investor education site recommends checking an adviser or firm's registration and disciplinary history and doing independent research before putting any money in. The FTC has reported that investment scams have accounted for billions of dollars in consumer losses in recent years.
If you believe you may have been caught up in this or a similar scheme, law enforcement asks that you contact the Hollywood Police Department or Broward Crime Stoppers; Local 10's 2024 coverage lists contact details for detectives handling the earlier probe. For more information on spotting and reporting potential investment fraud, see resources from Investor.gov and the FTC.
