Area broker charged in advance fee for loan scam — again

A Hendry County loan broker has been arrested for her role in an alleged fraudulent advance fee for loan scheme connected to a Fort Myers brokerage office — her second loan scam arrest in the past decade.

The broker, Sammie Sue Doss, has been charged with grand theft, fraudulent use of personal identifying information and violating Florida’s loan broker laws. Victim losses are estimated to be more than $17,000, according to a statement from the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. The OFR investigated the case, and the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office executed the arrest warrant, the statement adds.

Doss allegedly assessed and collected advance fees based on promises of securing mortgage loans. The loans never materialized, authorities contend in the release, “and some victims claim Doss further pressured them to make additional payments.”