Detectives Investigate Fraud in Silver Spring; Possibility of Additional Victims a Concern

Detectives Investigate Fraud in Silver Spring; Possibility of Additional Victims a Concern

Per MCPD:

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Gaithersburg, MD – Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 2^nd District Patrol Investigations Unit are investigating the July 12 and July 15 reports of fraud at an apartment building in the 1900 block of East West Highway. Investigators are releasing surveillance video of the suspect and are asking for the public’s help to identify her.

The investigation began on July 12 when the property manager of an apartment building in the 1900 block of East West Highway reported that an unknown female suspect had fraudulently rented out an apartment in her complex to a male victim. The victim stated that he found the suspect’s contact information in an online ad and that the suspect identified herself as a leasing agent for the apartment complex. After the victim paid the security deposit and rental fees for the apartment, the suspect provided him with a key to access the apartment. The victim then moved into the apartment and later determined that the apartment had been fraudulently rented to him.

On July 15, detectives were informed of another fraudulent case involving the same suspect. The victim reported that while searching for an apartment to rent on the internet, she made contact with an unknown female suspect who identified herself as a rental/property manager of the same apartment building in the 1900 block of East West Highway. The suspect met the victim at the apartment complex to show her apartments for lease and to collect the initial security deposit. Later that day, the victim met with the suspect at a business in the 1100 block of East West Highway, signed the lease and provided the suspect with the remaining rental fees for the leased apartment. The suspect then provided a key for the apartment to the victim. Upon returning to the 1900 block of East West Highway to enter the apartment, the victim found that the key did not work.

The suspect is described as a black female, approximately 30 to 38-years-old, 5-feet-5-inches tall and weighs approximately 150-160 pounds.

Based on the above incidents, detectives believe that there may be additional victims of fraud by this suspect that have not contacted police. Detectives are urging anyone who believes themselves to be a victim of this crime to contact the 2^nd District Patrol Investigations Unit at 240-773-6726.