Scammed and need help
Donation protected
Hi everyone, my name is April and I relocated to Colorado from Arkansas for work. On Sunday, August 13, 2023 something tragic happened to me and my family. You see our lease is up so we are looking for a new place to live. I saw an ad online for a house in Aurora, CO so I reached out to them. I was told that the house was still available and if I wanted it I had to act fast because the owner was moving out of town and once that happened the property would be turned over to a property management company. So, I asked him “Russell Thompson” what I needed to do. He told me that I had to pay a $300 application fee for myself and my husband. I said that’s a bit much but ok. So I paid the $300 about an hour later he texts me and says that our background cleared. A few minutes late his dad calls and says that he has until 3pm to terminate the contract and he want do that without a lease being signed and deposit in hand. He then told me that the Realtor would need to meet me with the key since he was not in Colorado anymore. He asked me if I would be willing to meet the Realtor and in return he would take off half the deposit. I said yes, so he said send me the remainder of the deposit $420 and I will send you the lease. So I did and he sent me the lease. So I go to the house on Monday thinking I’m meeting the Realtor but I discover someone else living in the home.
He informs me that he rented the property on August 5th. I show him my lease and he compares his with mine. Turns out we have the exact same lease just different names and dates. After doing research it was discovered that these people don’t own the home and never have. I have made contact with the Aurora police, the FBI as well as Denver7 news.
Anything that you can help with will be appreciated as me and my family have to find a new place to live. I will update this with the link to the news story once it airs tonight. God bless you all.
Organizer
April Welch
Organizer
Westminster, CO