Alleged Boat Scam Artist Arrested for Defrauding Victims of Tens of Thousands

Arrest of Alleged Fraudster

• 🚨 A man identified as Ricardo Dooker, also known as Rick Roofenberg, has been arrested and is accused of defrauding multiple victims.
• 💸 Dooker is alleged to have stolen tens of thousands of dollars from at least five individuals.
• ✈️ He was apprehended by police at the airport while reportedly attempting to leave the country.

The "Upboats LLC" Scam

• 🚤 Dooker operated a company called Upboats LLC, which claimed to build small carbon fiber boats.
• 💰 Clients paid significant amounts for these boats, but many never received their vessels.
• 🏢 The business was reportedly run out of a warehouse in Opa-locka, which showed no signs of boat construction.

Victim Accounts and Legal Proceedings

• 🗣️ One victim, Steven Felner, stated he was defrauded of $14,694 and was told by Dooker about financial difficulties and restructuring.
• 🚫 Detectives found that Dooker did not possess a valid business license to operate.
• ⚖️ Dooker's defense attorney claims the issues were related to the quality and delayed delivery of the boats, calling it a misunderstanding.
• 💰 A bond of $12,500 was set, and a Nebia hearing determined that the funds for bail came from a legitimate source, though the bond has not yet been posted.
• ⚠️ Code enforcement had previously visited the property where the business was located.