(Lawrenceville, Georgia)  The Gwinnett County Police Department is seeking any additional victims and the suspect’s whereabouts in a house rental scam. 

The two suspects (male and female) would obtain vacant home listings off the internet.  They would use the information in the listings along with the photos to create their own advertisement on Craigslist.  The homes appeared very affordable, and the suspects advertised “No Credit Check.”  The victims would contact the suspects to arrange for a viewing of the home.

Incident #1: A couple contacted the suspects regarding a rental home at 311 Moorland Court in Lawrenceville on December 4.  The couple met the female suspect at the house and viewed the home together.  Once the victims decided to rent it, the suspect produced a rental agreement and took $2,200 cash.  The victim took a photo of the suspect as she was counting the cash. 

A couple days later, a real estate agent arrived at the home with possible renter.  When the victims told the agent that the home was already rented, the agent told them that the listing was still active. 

The following day, the victims found a real estate sign in the garage.  After calling the number listed on the sign, they discovered that the female suspect they had given money to did not work for the real estate company. 

All calls to the female suspect went unanswered. 

Incident #2: A female renter found a listing for 836 Donington Circle in Lawrenceville. The female suspect gave her the code to the lockbox to obtain a key to the home to inspect it on December 11.  After deciding to rent the home, the suspect met her at her current home to finalize the agreement.  The victim gave the suspect $3,600 cash.

On December 16, the victim was watching the news.  She said that she saw a similar rental scam during a story and worried that she too had been victimized.  She did some research and found the true listing company for the home.  The representative for the home confirmed that the home was not rented out by anyone who worked for the company. 

Incident #3:  The victim told the officers that she originally saw 915 Donington Circle in Lawrenceville listed for rent on craigslist on December 15.  She faxed the lease agreement to the suspect along with $1,300 cash.  The suspect gave the victim the access code to get the keys and garage door opener out of the lock box.  The victim moved some of her belongings into the home upon getting the keys.

On December 19, the victim returned to the home to find that the locks had been changed.  A “For Lease” sign was posted in the yard. 

All attempts to contact the suspect have been unsuccessful.   

The lead investigator assigned to these cases believes that there may be other victims in the Metro Atlanta area.  Investigators in Cobb County, Fulton County, and the City of Newnan have cases involving these suspects. 

The male suspect in these cases was previously arrested by Newnan PD for a similar scam.  His name is Julius Ball (B/M, age 30, Decatur).  He has since bonded out of jail. 

The female suspect (B/F) uses several aliases.  She has used Camilla Jones, Melissa Hyatt, and “Star.” 

The lead investigator is seeking any additional victims by these two suspects to come forward.  Please contact the Electronic and Financial Crimes Unit at 770 513-5300. 

If you have any information relevant to the case or the whereabouts of the suspects and you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 404 577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestoppersatlanta.org.  Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.  Case Numbers:  15-114776, 15-113602, 15-111312