Three Suspects Arrested for Houston Craigslist Home Leasing Scam

Three family members have been arrested and a fourth suspect is being sought by police in connection to an alleged scheme to defraud people searching for a rental property. A.S., 22 years old, was initially arrested by Houston police after they received a complaint of potential rental fraud. A family looking for a home to rent in the Houston area had responded to an ad that had been placed in Craigslist. A.S. met with the family and showed them the home. She had a key to the property and what looked like legitimate lease agreements. A neighbor came up to one of the family members who was looking at the property and told him that the woman showing them the house was not authorized by the home owner to do so. The police were then called on the case and a meeting was set up with A.S. to complete the lease transaction (which involved paying the rest of the security deposit for renting the home). A.S. arrived for the "meeting" and was confronted by police after she accepted money from the potential renter. She was found to have receipts for several other deposits made on rental homes that she did not have permission or authorization to be showing or gathering funds for. Investigators discovered that A.S. had gained keys to vacated homes through the home inspection agency that she worked for. She and her family would then place ads on Craigslist for homes that were actually about to be sold and advertise them as rental properties. It is suspected that families were defrauded of thousands of dollars in "deposits" and then forced to move out of the homes.

A.S. was taken into custody which led to the arrest of A.S.'s husband, 20 years old, and her mother. Police are still looking for her father and any other people who may have been victims of this alleged scam. A.S. and her family have been charged with serious offenses including felony theft and providing false statements to obtain credit. Have you been accused of a serious theft crime? Speak with a criminal defense attorney right away to make sure your rights are protected.

Houston Criminal Defense Lawyer for Theft Charges

A felony theft conviction can result in thousands in fines and restitution and many years behind bars. Contact me at the Law Offices of Q. Tate Williams, P.C. today to find out what I may be able to do to fight the charges against you! I am dedicated to getting my clients the best outcome possible.