Hailey
A heartbreaking case from Milwaukee shows how dangerous rental scams can be. A family of six, including a pregnant mother, lost their home and $1,200 after falling for what appears to be a fake apartment scheme.
They thought they had secured their dream home but ended up with nowhere to go. This incident highlights the importance of verifying rental listings and being cautious when making online transactions.
How the Fake Apartment Scheme Started
When Mary Kaphuka returned to Milwaukee from Missouri with her fiancé, four children, and another baby on the way, she was excited to start a new life. She found what seemed like the perfect apartment online, listed by a woman known as “Ms. Allie” on Facebook.
The woman claimed she ran a business that helped at-risk mothers find safe and stable housing. This gave Mary confidence that the offer was genuine.
The Payment and the Disappearance
Mary agreed to rent the apartment and was asked to pay a security deposit of $1,200. Believing everything was legitimate, she sent the money.
However, on move-in day, everything changed.
“We went looking for the house, and the address didn’t match,” Mary explained. “There was no sign of the home or Ms. Allie.”
When Mary tried to contact the woman, she found that Ms. Allie stopped answering calls and messages. The family soon realized they had been scammed.
Life After the Scam
The loss of the deposit meant the family could not secure another apartment immediately. Since then, they have been couch-surfing with friends and relatives or staying in hotels.
Mary says she’s running out of options and may need to move into a homeless shelter if she can’t find a safe place for her children.
The Legal Steps Taken
Mary has filed a police report and hopes the alleged scammer will be charged. She also plans to take the matter to small claims court to try and recover the stolen money.
However, rental scams can be difficult to track because scammers often use fake names, phone numbers, and online profiles.
How to Spot and Avoid Rental Scams
Unfortunately, cases like Mary’s are not rare. Scammers target vulnerable people who urgently need housing. Here are some important safety tips:
- Always visit the property in person before paying any money.
- Check property ownership records online to verify the landlord’s identity.
- Avoid paying in cash or untraceable methods such as money transfers.
- Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.
- Search the listing photos on Google to see if they are stolen from another site.
Community Reactions and Warnings
Local community members are urging others to be careful when renting properties online. Housing advocates say Facebook Marketplace and similar platforms have seen an increase in fake rental listings.
This incident is a painful reminder that rental scams can happen to anyone, especially those in urgent need of housing. Mary Kaphuka’s family lost their money and home but gained the courage to speak out, hoping others won’t fall for similar tricks.
Always verify rental details, meet landlords in person, and use secure payment methods to protect yourself.