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Report: #663459

Complaint Review: Steven A Berkowitz - Cape Coral Florida

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  • Reported By: David — minot North Dakota United States of America
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  • Steven A Berkowitz 1490 NE Pine Island Rd 7B Cape Coral, FL 339 Cape Coral, Florida United States of America

Steven A Berkowitz Invester's Beware-Hold onto your MONEY-This man is a Fraud!!- Cape Coral, Florida

*REBUTTAL Individual responds: Mr. Franco's Complaint Disposed of as UNFOUNDED

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 Steve Berkowitz, owner of Martial Arts Institute, of Cape Coral, Florida is a liar a thief and in very nature feminine.  I liken him to a female because he relies on men to make his way.  This is my experience with himHe was supposed to have invested money that I and my family sent him instead he used it on personal expenses.  This is flat out shameless.  As a women feels entitlement when you are with her, so also Steve shamelessly takes what he has NOT earned.  Yes, he has through me received over 20K.  Then turned around and spit in my face.  I gave him 4K to move from Wa to Fl a few months later, I sent him $2,500.00 to lock up some lease options,  one of which he is currently living in.  Finally we were going to purchase real estate, using funds from my brother and his good name (his credit).  Long story short Steve received 15K, was supposed to use to put deal together, earnest money etc.  As soon as this supposed deal fell through, Steve agreed to return the funds in order to pursue at a later date.  This was back in April 2010; to this day such funds have NOT surfaced in their proper place. 


You may say all this is my fault, how can I believe or trust someones word?  Truth is this fool is the first person whom I have been so wrong about.  I have dealt with true men over 5 previous times.  The last was with a friend of mine, Dr. J. Christman, in a deal involving land.  This was a deal costing 40K, which we split. At the end of this deal the land was sold for 100K, a check was cut to me and we each went on.  Fact is this whole deal went through my friends paper (corp.) and only his name was on all paper.  Funny there are men with integrity.  In our lifetime I and my brothers have exchanged over 250K through us, and never pledged but our word.  Such allegations are just that if they cant be substantiated.  Everything I have written can be collaborated through correspondence between Steve and us, plus wire transfer receipts.  This is all being used in a criminal investigation, that he is the subject of.


 Why am I writing this you might ask?  Well this individual will die mooching.  He is constantly soliciting investors for everything from real estate to his money pit dojo.  I hope to save someone who is considering throwing your money away.  This individual has NO honor, NO morals, NO shame and absolutely NO integrity.  I also read a response that he wrote on this website to some other unhappy victim.  His response was amazing to me because he wrote he has never asked anyone for a dime.  Below is a correspondence that I have copied and pasted from an e-mail he sent to me, you can read where he is begging me for money.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:27:56 -0500
From: saberkowitz@embarqmail.com
To: (((REDACTED)))


+ can I borrow 4k at 7% for 12 months? I am desperate here, we'll be in the street before Dec 5th if I can't figure a way out of this.


 

One thing I know that Steve has to say about me is, Ill say it for him because Im dying to see if he can come up with something new or truthful.  I was forced to go through bankruptcy due to a year out of work, in which not only did I lose my job but I lost renters and there for lost my investments properties.  So Steve tries to portray that I was going bankrupt and all the while investing on the other hand.  Ignoring the fact that this other venture I was attempting was through my brother, due to the fact that he has not been shaken through all of these financially turbulent times.


There is nothing wrong with climbing into a lifeboat when your ship is going down.  I knew that I was broke but hoped that I could start my road to recovery via my alliance with a solvent partner, and one that would facilitate acquisitions in a prime location.  Little did I know that the later was a snake that would only facilitate money into his pocket.  He has made every excuse (lie) in the book; he claims he lost the deposit.  In another email he claims he put in a CD, waiting for it to mature.  I believe what he told his wife is the truth; he spent it citing that because he had a heart attack, he used the money to live on.    Truth is his heart attack was months earlier, fact is he only was down 3 to 4 days.  He also told his wife not to worry; he couldnt be indicted since there was no contractFOOL!  There is such a thing as an electronic signature, which is on emails, wire transfers and things of that nature. 


He recently got wind of the fact that he is currently under criminal investigation.  Though this process is slow at fruition it will be worth it to have this scum where he belongs.  I recently spoke with one of the individuals involved in our process; I was concerned with the length of time involved.  His response was it is the best evidence in these cases because the length of time passing shows the best proof of the intent.  Of course I already knew his intent since April.  I was also advised that in such cases there are several agencies that want their piecebureau of realty etc.  I was also told in many instances they just want to look.   I was also pointed in a direction that I hadnt thought of, since I received some of these documents through the mail.  I have to send a sworn statement to the Federal Postal Inspector.  Anytime someone uses the USPS, for the purpose of defrauding someone I guess they want a piece.so more waiting.


Meantime Steve since has gotten wind of the local inquisition in process, he pretends his intensions in sending a few bucksas he put it.  Well there was a lot more than a few bucks his way.  So absolutely my family wants nothing less than a full refund.  Fact is my brother says if he doesnt send at least 11K which is what was appropriated for the real estate/Steve pocket venture.  He wont take a dime.  We were advised that if we accept any amount, they are forced to close proceedings because we are entering into negotiations.  Steve knows this; he is a con to the max!  He made an attempt and was later angered by my brother who refused to accept pennies.  Steve in turn stated that if he paid all he would not be able to cloth and keep his kids in a house with electric.


Heres an idea Steve, do what I dowork, earn your own money to clothe your kids!!  Dont steal it.  We dont lay with your wife, although we have provided better for her and your kids than you have.  Maybe someday hell learn to provide.  Up to now he scams cops & soldiersthat is what my brother is.  Steve pretends to advocate for them.  I have copied and pasted his many excuses for not returning the money he pocketed.  We know getting the money back is a loss cause, that is not our intentwe only wish to warn others about him, praying also that justice will be done to stop him. Please contact us if you have more to add.


Employers he lists: Lee Char Affordable Housing Initiative Corp.-Martial Arts Training Institute, INC.-Ysharim International/USA-Zenkoku Yudansha Sekai-Bugeikan Martial Arts


Be Blessed..J


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


--Forwarded Message Attachment--
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 08:32:45 -0400
From: saberkowitz@embarqmail.com
To: (((REDACTED)))


Subject: Houses


David:


 I have two realtor friends burning through the listings for likely low-down candidates. best and quickest way to get the flash-cash into my hands to roll deals is direct deposit there to WAMU


3250*****  routing


(((REDACTED))) acct name Ysharim International   (the overall business entity we own and operate with


email me when you have done so so I can get whatever I need to onto a contract or two and shoot you the listing info sheets.



I am drafting a partnering agreement for you, will send out today if possible, or by end of day Fri(Yom Kippur is tonite and tomorrow and I have much to do yet for that)


 


--Forwarded Message Attachment--
Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:02:20 -0400
From: saberkowitz@embarqmail.com
CC: (((REDACTED)))
Subject: we have potential buyers to sell to, just need to be able to lock up some properties now

David:


 If we are going to do this, I need to know if you are in. I need flashcash right now, this week, to lock down 5 houses. I can rehab them if you can't get away , and I have end buyers, and end-leasers.


  I sent the account # at WAMU for the account up there. Did you get that? Plus photos of some houses I was working on, still am. But in order to convince the owners to sign a sales agreement, they need cash "incentive".


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


--Forwarded Message Attachment--
Date: Sat, 1 Nov 2008 09:32:38 -0400
From: saberkowitz@embarqmail.com
To: (((REDACTED)))
Subject: checks/houses/ads

David:


 Got mail/checks. Thanks! Placed 1400 in Buy Acct., $1000 in Ad acct. Here's what's next, PLUS following on the 10 houses I was chasing two wks ago. Will reread your letter and lay out a function list so we both know what happens when and how.


 Blessings


 SAB


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:27:56 -0500
From: saberkowitz@embarqmail.com
To: (((REDACTED)))
Subject: Looks like we got a property!


I need right away(Fri or Monday) the 10k down money, to put down early next week and sign the contract once the corporations are done, plus about $350 to incorporate the two entities(I am absolutely broke right now):


                   LeeChar Affordable Housing Initiative Corp(LAHIC)   this will be the non-profit


                            Franco-Berkowitz Development Corp (FBC)    this will be the for-profit


                           adresses  for both will be the P.O.Box 152107, Cape Coral, Fl., 33915 the


                                       box for all the non-profits and for profits we are working with


                               Franco-Berkowitz Development:   President- Stephanie Franco


                                                                 VP- Elisheva Berkowitz


                                                       Secretary- Steven A. Berkowitz


                                                              Treasurer- David Franco


  LeeChar                                  President/Secretary- Steven A. Berkowitz


                                                     VP/Treasurer- David Franco


                                                     Director- Stephanie Franco


                                                     Director- Elisheva Berkowitz


                                                         $10,000 for DP


                                                          350 for incorp


                                                             10,350.00


Quickest is a wire transfer. If you bank at Wamu, they do it for free. Most banks do thatfor accountholders.


Wire to Fifth Third Bank    239-772-5296   1801 NE Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral, Fl 33909


                                                              067091719 7432408784 



                                                               Ysharim International


 


 


From: Steve Berkowitz


To: info


Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 12:55 PM


Subject: SE 46th La



Still some interest by my Seattle partner in the property- $50k buy, $10k down, 9% 3 yr balloon, 25 or 20 year amortization.


 


----- Original Message -----
From: "Dr.Klaus" <info@drsantaklaus.com>
To: "Steve Berkowitz" <saberkowitz@embarqmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 7:44:43 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: SE 46th La

? That sounds good,


do you want to get a contract ???



If YES, please email Name and adress of buyer. 


 


Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:08:43 -0500
From: saberkowitz@embarqmail.com
To: (((REDACTED)))
Subject: Re: 708 SE 46th La. Duplex

The contract will read Buyer: LeeChar Affordable Housing Initiative Corp., Attn.: Steven Berkowitz, address is P.O.Box 152107,  Cape Coral, Fl 33915


 Terms $50,000 sale price  $10,000 down payment, 3 year balloon seller held $40,000, amortized at 25 yr. rate, at 9%



If seller does not accept terms, down payment will be returned within 5 calendar days of rejected offer. Sale must close before Dec. 10, 2009, without exception, and property must pass inspection and appraisal for sale value.


 


From: Steve Berkowitz


To: (((REDACTED)))


Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 2:42 PM


I'd parked the $ in an interest-bearing acct, have asked for it to come out. They will call me when I can get it.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


To: "Steve Berkowitz" saberkowitz@embarqmail.com


To: (((REDACTED)))


Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 8:05:53 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: your question

?Steve I have not asked you for more than the truth. Tell me what it is, in your response to my right acct.# you said "yes it was. I will send out." That states that you knew it was wrong, therefore alluding that you had attempted to send. Then you say that it's in a CD or like and may take time. Also you say you will finish the deal if it comes to be.  Then you say you called them today and they we're out of the deal.  


 Ultimately I've asked you to speak to me on the phone and you won't answer my calls. As far as all the other stuff I've written you, you keep overlooking the fact that I never said I wanted out. As far as you saying that I have alliances that come first, that's you're view, not mine.  I've tried to explain to you that by paying him in a timely fashion it would open the doors for continuous money for us.  But, you took it, for some reason as a personal attack and a desire for me to bail. I keep reiterating that is the furthest from my intentions. The reason for wanting to talk to you on the phone is because it would be easier for me to tell you a little history of how I view personal loans.  


 I don't understand the pain you've felt over this because we plan to close here so we would have to go to the closing table with a cashier's check in hand.  So why has it given you so much heartache?  When can I expect you to wire me and be honest with me?


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2010 22:18:16 -0400
From: saberkowitz@embarqmail.com
To: (((REDACTED)))
Subject: Re: your question


David:


  Odd...you don't get that my bank has it and has been asked to wire. That they can do and tried. I thn was told it failed. So, now I have request for refund.


Simple.


 I was going to drive through the deal no matter wht but have decided better to not do it that way, shut it down, since I won't be able to remodel it.


 simple, concise.


 Truth- tired of spinning wheels on it an costing me time and rubber and having no surety it ends up with any of it my name.


 SAB


 please stop calling my wife's phone and the house phone. Give me a few days chill time rather than constant calling early am and while I am in a business day. i DO have other obligations, people in meetings, and places I am at. I don't sit around an office waiting for the phone to ring. will notify you when to look for it in acct.



 


 


From: DS F


To: Steve Berkowitz


Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 10:58 AM


Subject: WHY???


 



I don't owe you this, as you don't feel you owe me the least explanation of why you can't send the money you were supposedly holding and had supposedly attempted to send.  This is just out of honor, again something you don't comprehend.  I am drafting a letter to the Florida attorney general, also Washington State attorney general.  Also am going to contact any interested party including but limited to news agencies etc.


 


 


----- Original Message -----


From: Steve Berkowitz


To: DS F


Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 2:28 PM


Subject: Re: WHY???


 


David:



do whatever you want to. just remember, all news goes out to the bankruptcy court, foreclosure court and also IRS...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


----- Original Message -----


From: DS F


To: Steve Berkowitz


Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 2:54 PM


Subject: Re: WHY???


 


?


I got nothing to hide, you on the other hand are living a double life...



On the one hand you live as a Rabbi on the flip side you steal from friends...


 


 


-----Original Message-----
From: filimonf@aol.com
To: saberkowitz@embarqmail.com
Sent: Tue, May 11, 2010 7:04 pm
Subject: Re:


 


What to respond...I'm baffled. What we discussed on Thursday and what you're saying now doesn't add up.


 


Thursday, when I asked you to return the $15,000 I wired YOU in Novemeber, you explained that you did not have my account number. I replied that I was under the impression that David had already provided it, then offered to email it to you immediately. You then stated that you didn't have access to a computer because you were home, but that you would be at your office the following day. After some additional discussion, I stated that I simply wanted my money returned. You stated, "okay, I'll talk to my bank tomorrow".


Based on this conversation, shouldn't I have fully expected you to send the money as soon as you received my account info, which I immediately sent? 


 


Now you basically state that you don't owe the money since it was a deal with David, not me???


The evidence will show that you solely took posession of all funds. David vouched for you saying you were a great friend and that you were going to invest together.


 


Ultimately, you agreed to return these funds until the next day when you were flustered by something David said. Now you add that a deal has been made, despite an email sent to David stating that you were absolving him of any further participation. A clear expression of your true position on this would be appreciated.


 


 Speaking with my lawyer today, I realize this case will be even more extensive/exhaustive than I initially thought, including investigating and interviewing present and past contacts of yours. 


Speaking with David today about this subject, David mentioned that you were/are a religious figure. Again....baffled. How can these actions be

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 11/18/2010 09:15 AM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/steven-a-berkowitz/cape-coral-florida-33909/steven-a-berkowitz-investers-beware-hold-onto-your-money-this-man-is-a-fraud-cape-cor-663459. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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#1 REBUTTAL Individual responds

Mr. Franco's Complaint Disposed of as UNFOUNDED

AUTHOR: Steven B - (United States)

POSTED: Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Mr. David Franco, formerly of Bremerton, Wa., now from Minot, ND, wrote all those accusations against me, now 8 years ago. It has taken this long for the truth to be revelaed, because certain govenrment agencies move very slowly. In all, the US Bankruptcy Court, Seattle District; the DEA, Seattle Region; and the IRS.

I knew Mr. Franco when I lived in Bremerton, Wa., for 9 years. Mr. Franco attended our congregation for a short period but worked hard to befriend me individually. The reason why eventually was revealed.

I was a Mortgage Banker with Wells Fargo, with 3 bank branches and a private office. Mr. Franco attended a Bible study my wife and I also attended. When Mr. Franco heard I was a Mortgage guy, all of a sudden he had an interest in attending the small congregation where I was Rabbi, and wanting to be a personal friend.

In this honeymoon period I found out that Mr. Franco had a brother that worked with the DEA, that Mr. Franco and his brother purchased properties for investment whenever his brother completed a raid in Central America, and that Mr. Franco also had possession of a construction crane he had no title or bill of sale for, that he asked me to find a buyer for and receive a $5000 commission.

He soon came to me asking me to refinance 3 properties he owned. He had NO rent rolls, no checks for rent from the renters, no bank account that shwoed the income/revenue from the 2 rental properties.

He didn't even have the names of the renters. There were multiple UNdocumented immigrants ILLEGALS renting rooms in the 2 houses.

A property inspection revealed that both houses were meth labs with friends from Mexico in-house. I told Mr. Franco that I could not do the loans. Flat cut him out and no contact. I then called the DEA.(Turns out Mr. Franco's brother, Philemon, works for the DEA in Central America, doing big time drug raids on cartel types. This will play into the story later)

I forward what I know to the DEA/Seattle, the IRS/Seattle, and the US Bankruptcy Court/Seattle.

 

FAST FORWARD 5 YEARS-

I've moved back to sunny SW Florida, after 9 painful years in the great NW of America, Washington, the Everrain State. The phone rings, and its Mr. Franco. Tells me he's sorry for trying to get me involved in his mishegas up in Seattle area, please forgive him. Sure, we all need to learn to forgive.

He and his wife are coming on vacation to Florida(it's November) and have chosen- SURPRISE!- the little town I live in, Cape Coral. 2000 places in Florida to land and HERE is his choise. I should have known. Can we all hang out together when they're here?   SURE, WHY NOT?  and the phone call ends.

A few days later, he calls again, wants to make a donation to our congregation/ministry as apology for the mortgage game in Bremerton years ago. Sure, we'll take a donation, we have famiulies to feed and a growing ministry to handle. He sends a donation.

A week later, he calls again, tells me he's in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, BUT proposes financing a real estate deal for a duplex in Florida to generate revenue for the ministry monthly. He and his wife want to live in the other half without being charged rent. I ask whose name will be on mortgage, he tells me his (HUH??? HOW?). Who will hold title? The ministry.

OK...........

He tells me to find a duplex to buy, he's coming doiwn on that vacation and we'll look at it then. OKAY...... He wires money a week later, for a deposit on a property I found. My wife and I go make contract on a duplex and give a DP of $10k to the realtor. Mr. Franco and family arrive a week later, we look at the property together, he likes what I found. Great. We entertain them on theri vacation for a week, and they fly off back to frigid Minot.

Meanwhile, I'm being directed by DEA, IRS and USBC as to what to tell Mr. Franco. They all want him and his drug-smuggling DEA-agent brotehr for bankruptcy fraud, mortgage fraud, failure to pay income tax, cheating crteditors in Bankruptcy Court.

So, yes, I am guilty of stringing Franco along, in order to assist the US Govet in obtaining evidence against Mt. Franco. As to the deposit on the property? Late in the deal, prior to close, Mr. Franco tells me he intends to close in his and his broetehr's name, and that the ministry will only be receiving a couple hundred monthlt from the renter's payment, and no ownership of the property. I abandoned the project, the realtor burned the deposit, and it was no longer  a problem of mine.

 

FURTHER_

1.  NO legal action by Mr. Franco ever surfaced- he had law enforcement in both Washington and Florida review his claims against me. Both states blew it back in his face. NO CRIMINAL ACT EVER OCCURRED BY ME,

HE, OTOH, has a lifetime of pain on him now by the government. 

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