Ohio resident accused of defrauding businessman through phony South Florida real estate scheme

Federal investigators allege a Pakistani native from Ohio living large in Miami Beach bilked a Washington, D.C.-area businessman of about $10 million over the course of two years, the Miami Herald reported.

Haider Zafar, a legal U.S. resident, spent the money on luxury cars, diamond jewelry and clubbing in South Beach, the Herald reported, citing a criminal complaint filed in late May.

Zafar, 35, is locked up in Ohio as a federal grand jury awaits to hear charges against him, including wire fraud, money laundering and tax evasion. The alleged victim, Patwinder Sidhu, 47, who made his fortune by founding and selling an IT consulting firm, contacted Zafar through an investment banker.

Zafar convinced Sidhu that his uncle was Pakistan’s defense minister, responding for buying land for the government. Zafar would receive tips on what to purchase and then sell the land to the Pakistan government for a profit, according to the complaint. [Miami Herald] –Emily Schmall