Rental scam victims struggle following con
LARGO (FOX 13) - It's been nearly one week since more than a dozen families learned they were victims in a Largo home rental scam. The two people who posed as the homeowners are still on the run while many of the victims are still desperate to find permanent places to live.
It's been a stressful, uncertain week for these families. Their top priority right now is finding safe places to live. After that, it's getting justice.
A week ago, Bryan Walker and his family were getting ready to move into the home at 1091 Lexington Court.
"Everything was legit, fake IDs, bank cards, tax statements looked correct," Walker said. "They had everything going."
But, when move-in time kept getting moved back, he went investigating.
"I knocked on their door and there was actually another couple from Indiana sitting out there, the U-Haul trailer behind their car," Walker said. "I knocked on the door and no response, went and talked to them and realized they were there to rent at the same time."
And so were about a dozen other families. Largo police say they were targeted by Nicole and David Johnson. The couple pretended to be the owners, gave in-person tours and got away with more than $25,000 in deposit fees. Each family lost between $1,000 and $4,300.
"I'm still in shock. I'm mad. I cry about every 30 or 45 minutes," said Tremain Johnson, one of the victims.
"Nobody has money right now," Walker said.
Walker's wife and kids have are staying with family in Virginia until this all gets figured out.
"It's made me miss out on a lot of work," Walker said.
Walker is staying in touch with other families allegedly tricked by the Johnsons, some still without a permanent roof over their heads. He's trying to help out by raising money on a GoFundMe page to make up for what they lost.
"Just a bunch of excuses, excuses, more excuses and lies," Walker said as he scrolled through old text messages from Nicole Johnson on his phone.
He's still baffled by the whole thing. But, instead of being mad, he's funneling his energy into picking up the pieces for everyone.
"Everybody works hard for their money, just to have it stolen," Walker said. "I just want to help at least get what they have gone back."
Walker and his family got some good news Monday. Someone saw the story and helped get them keys to a new place to live. He's determined to help the others have the same positive ending.
Investigators believe the Johnsons took off to New York. They continue interviewing more victims and are asking anyone else who may have been dragged into this scam, to give them a call.