Hialeah Man Arrested for Posing as Accountant in $500K Fraud Scheme

Francisco Marrero charged with organized fraud, grand theft, and money laundering after allegedly defrauding multiple companies.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:50am

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A 79-year-old Hialeah man named Francisco Marrero has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of organized fraud, first-degree grand theft, practicing accounting without a license, and money laundering. Marrero is accused of posing as a certified public accountant in order to defraud victims, including the restaurant chain El Toro Loco Churracqueria, of over $500,000 in tax payments over several years.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing problem of financial fraud targeting small businesses and the importance of thoroughly vetting financial professionals. The alleged actions of Marrero eroded trust and caused significant financial harm to his victims, underscoring the need for stronger regulations and oversight in the accounting industry.

The details

According to Miami police, investigators and the state attorney's office worked on this case for a year after receiving complaints from Marrero's alleged victims. Police say Marrero did not make required tax payments to the IRS on behalf of his clients, raising their suspicions. The money he is accused of stealing totals over $500,000. Marrero was arrested at a building on West 65th Street, where police say he did taxes for multiple firms, managers, and employees.

  • Marrero's alleged crimes occurred over multiple years, according to police.
  • The investigation into Marrero's activities began about a year ago after complaints were filed.
  • Marrero was arrested and appeared before a judge on March 28, 2026, who set his bond at $500,000.

The players

Francisco Marrero

A 79-year-old Hialeah man accused of posing as a certified public accountant in order to defraud multiple companies of over $500,000 in tax payments.

El Toro Loco Churracqueria

A restaurant chain that was one of the alleged victims of Marrero's fraud scheme, with its Little Havana location specifically mentioned in the arrest report.

Miami Police Department

The law enforcement agency that investigated the allegations against Marrero and made the arrest.

State Attorney's Office

The prosecutorial agency that worked with Miami police on the investigation into Marrero's alleged crimes.

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What they’re saying

“Francisco Marrero, whom I placed all my trust in to handle my business, betrayed me. He presented himself as a professional CPA qualified to work with companies, yet through all these years, the only actions he took were fraudulent.”

— Owner of El Toro Loco

“One of them got suspicious, hired an accountant to go into it and see what's going on. He says you've been robbed. That's when they came to the Miami Police Department, and we began our investigation.”

— Mike Vefa, City of Miami PIO

What’s next

Marrero is being held on $500,000 bond and is facing multiple charges, including organized fraud, grand theft, and money laundering. The case will now proceed through the criminal justice system, with prosecutors likely seeking significant prison time if Marrero is convicted.

The takeaway

This case serves as a stark reminder for businesses to thoroughly vet any financial professionals they hire, even those claiming to be certified accountants. The alleged actions of Francisco Marrero highlight the need for stronger regulations and oversight in the accounting industry to protect small businesses from falling victim to such elaborate fraud schemes.