Thomas Amendola Arrested for Investment Fraud

FL OFR Enforcement Case Updates

Filed January 15th, 2026

Detected March 18th, 2026

Summary

Thomas Amendola was arrested on felony charges for allegedly orchestrating an investment fraud scheme, soliciting $500,000 from investors. The Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) led the investigation, which revealed investor funds were used for personal expenses.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

Thomas Amendola has been arrested on three felony counts, including organized scheme to defraud, investment fraud, and grand theft, for his alleged role in an investment fraud scheme. Amendola purportedly solicited $500,000 from friends and neighbors for his company, Doza Investments, LLC, promising investment in SPACs and founders shares. The Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) led the investigation, which found that Amendola allegedly used investor funds for personal expenses instead of the promised investments.

This enforcement action highlights the risks associated with unregistered investment schemes and the potential for fraud within private investment communities. Regulated entities and investors should be aware of the red flags associated with such schemes, including misrepresentations about investment opportunities and commingling of funds. The case is being prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney in Collier County, and the OFR's investigation was supported by local law enforcement agencies.

What to do next

Review internal controls for investment advisory activities.
Ensure all solicitations align with disclosure requirements.
Report suspicious activity promptly to regulatory bodies.

Penalties

Felony charges including organized scheme to defraud, investment fraud, and grand theft.

Source document (simplified)

Former Naples Man Arrested in Alleged Investment Fraud Scheme

January 15, 2026 Thomas Amendola was arrested on three felony counts including organized scheme to defraud, investment fraud, and grand theft for his alleged involvement in an investment fraud scheme.

Amendola, an award-winning golfer, purportedly solicited $500,000 from friends and neighbors within his private golfing community for investment in his company Doza Investments, LLC, a formerly licensed investment advisory firm. Amendola supposedly represented that investor funds would be used to invest in a series of special purpose acquisition companies, operating in the space and telecoms sectors, and that investors would receive founders shares in the companies.

After years of Amendola allegedly claiming various issues related to the investments, the investors formally demanded withdrawal of their investment and the return on their capital. Amendola eventually purportedly admitted that he would be unable to return their investment capital but would soon be selling his personal residence and would return their investments, plus 2 percent simple interest. He sold his Naples house and moved to Tampa. However, Amendola supposedly continued to provide investors with various explanations regarding the unavailability of funds and allegedly failed to return any portion of the original investment capital. The OFR investigation revealed that Amendola purportedly used investor funds for various personal expenses.

The OFR was the lead investigative agency, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest with assistance from the Tampa Police Department and the Florida Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division. The case is being prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney in Collier County.

Back to Case Updates