A Delaware homebuyer has filed a lawsuit in federal court after losing $2.2 million in a real estate closing scam.
WBOC reports Johanna Berkowitz was buying a luxury property in Dewey Beach, Delaware, with a closing scheduled for Nov. 21, 2025. Two days before the closing date, she received an email that appeared to be from someone connected to the law firm handling the transaction. The email included wire instructions for her final $2.2 million payment.
However, the email spoofed the law firm, and Berkowitz wired her funds to a Truist Bank account controlled by fraudsters. Truist later confirmed the money had been received and then withdrawn.
Berkowitz’s lawsuit names “John Doe” defendants because the identities of the fraudsters have yet to be determined. She said that she is seeking to name the fraudsters banking records, IP address tracking, and other investigative steps.
Berkowitz is asking the court for at least $2.2 million in damages and plus additional relief that could include punitive damages and the return of any property connected to this fraud. She accuses the still-unknown defendants of violating federal laws, including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and the Stored Communications Act, along with state laws.
