Delray Beach Woman Arrested for Rent Fraud Scheme
Jessyka May Hernandez Ortega allegedly stole over $100,000 from tenants at a local apartment community.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Financial Crime
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The Delray Beach Police Department arrested 44-year-old Jessyka May Hernandez Ortega for allegedly stealing over $100,000 in rent payments from residents at the Lucaya apartment community. Authorities claim the suspect manipulated leasing software and diverted money orders for personal gain over a multi-year period.
Why it matters
The case highlights a significant breach of trust where the suspect allegedly targeted non-English-speaking residents who required assistance with paperwork. By exploiting her position, the suspect allegedly siphoned funds and charged illicit fees to vulnerable tenants.
Jessyka May Hernandez Ortega was arrested by the Delray Beach Police Department following an audit that verified $102,827 in stolen tenant payments. Subpoenaed records indicate 764 money orders worth $284,020 were deposited into personal bank accounts.
The players
Jessyka May Hernandez Ortega
She is the 44-year-old suspect arrested for allegedly orchestrating a rent fraud scheme at the Lucaya apartment community.
Delray Beach Police Department
This local law enforcement agency conducted the investigation and carried out the arrest of the suspect.
The details
The suspect allegedly required residents to provide blank money orders, which she then filled out as payee before depositing them into accounts at Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Chase. She further manipulated the Yardi leasing software to mask the missing payments while allegedly charging residents $20 for free notarization services.
Timeline
Between December 2022 and May 2025, the suspect deposited 764 money orders into personal accounts.
In May 2025, the owner of the apartment community began auditing tenant leases.
On September 26, 2026, the suspect was arrested by the Delray Beach Police Department.
Legal Context
This case follows a pattern of heightened regulatory focus on residential management practices following the 2023 Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act updates. It reflects a broader shift toward tighter oversight of leasing operations within the state's housing sector.
Residents of the Lucaya apartment community on Ilene Court are advised to review their past lease payment records for discrepancies. Local authorities are encouraging anyone who suspects they were charged for free notarization services to contact the department.
The takeaway
Tenants should always ensure they receive a written receipt for any payment made toward rent or services. Direct communication with property owners or management companies can prevent the exploitation of common leasing procedures.
Further reading
For more information on local investigations, visit the Financial Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sun Sentinel.
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