Squatter claims ownership of mansion

The $2.5 million, five-bedroom, waterfront mansion in one of Florida's most exclusive neighborhoods / Google Maps

Andre "Loki Boy" Barbosa has taken up residence in a $2.5 million mansion / Facebook

FROM homeless to homeowner, a brazen squatter has snagged a mansion for free, becoming a real-life "slumdog millionaire".

Andre "Loki Boy" Barbosa, 23, a Brazilian national, has taken up residence in a vacant $2.5 million, five-bedroom, waterfront mansion in one of Florida's most exclusive neighborhoods - Boca Raton.

Mr Barbosa has attempted to claim ownership of the home via adverse possession, an antiquated law that allows for someone to become the rightful owner of an abandoned property by maintaining it and paying utilities and taxes for a certain length of time. In Florida, that is seven years.

Problem is, the house was not abandoned. It was just empty and the the home's owner, Bank of America, wants him out.

Mr Barbosa, who has been living in the property since July last year, was served eviction papers two weeks ago without incident, according to Palm Beach police.

His neighbours also want him out. The woman now living next door to the mansion squatter, has hired off-duty Boca Raton police to secure the neighborhood until he is ejected.

Lawyers said it's the start of a process that could take three to six weeks. So it looks like the squatter will at least be able to maybe enjoy Valentine's Day in the 770sq m home.

And Mr Barbosa might become the poster boy for getting the obscure state law stricken from the books. Property authorities have asked legislators to get rid of the adverse possession law, saying it was conceived when Florida had vast agricultural land that would fall into disuse.

Adverse possession filings have become more frequent as the foreclosure crisis has gripped Florida and banks have a huge backlog of foreclosed homes that have not yet gone to the market.

Mr Barbosa has remained elusive to the media that have sought his comment as news of his squatting has spread.

A Facebook page listed under Mr Barbosa's name detailing the situation refers to the disputed property as "Templo de Kamisamar".

A recent post claiming to be from Mr Barbosa declares, "A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him. I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed".

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