Um, you're going to be investigated for fraud. Okay, >> that's perfectly fine. >> If there if there is probable cause, you're going to be arrested. Okay, >> me and my girlfriend owns the house. You know what? Whatever the case may be, >> I own the house. >> But yeah, >> if I'm not getting my money back today, then I'm not leaving today. Unfortunately, >> a vacant listed property, a fraudulent lease, $3,100 paid to a stranger on Zillow. The occupant claimed to be a victim. Investigators believed otherwise, and the record would prove them right. I own this house. My name is Patty Peoples. I own this house. It was for sale. We came over here to let a handyman in to do some work. And he said, "Well, there's a dog and puppies on the front." So, we came over and these people moved in yesterday and she has a signed lease and paid $3,100 for first and last month rent and a pet deposit. >> So, >> So, you already talked to her. Yeah, she's very calm and very very polite. >> Hey, how you doing, young lady? Good morning. >> Hi. >> What's going on? >> So, basically, um I'm 22 years old and I just moved out of the Hover House, the homeless house. My mom died 2 years ago. I've been to Hubbing House for a freaking year. I've been saving up money to get an apartment. This dude, Mr. Christopher Cross, that I've been contacting, which I'm going to give you all the information that I have, he brought me to this house on about February the 15th, and he showed me the house. He walked right in the house. He came here. He unlocked that front door, came right in the house. He showed me told me the house is for for $1,200. I mean $1,400, excuse me. >> I think we need to talk about unfortunately for you the next steps because we we have an offer on the house. So, >> and according to my my dad is a um he sells houses. He works for One World Realy and according to him, I contacted him um about this. So, basic basically this is like that's a large amount of money that I'm going to have to get back $3,100. And he basically told me that I don't have to um I don't have to go. He basically told me that I don't have to go. He can he will go he will go through the court system to get me how I need to go, but he told me I don't have to. So, it's really up to him on what he does about for y'all. But my dad said I don't have to go and he will handle me from here because I paid my money to be here. So, whatever the police says, then that's what we'll go. But if I'm not getting my money back today, then I'm not leaving today. unfortunate cuz then I have no money, no place to stay. That's just not unfortunate for me. So, sorry. >> Let me ask you. So, you met this guy how many times? Twice. >> Three. >> Three times. >> Three times. >> What does he look like? >> Okay. So, he's a white dude. He's about a little bit taller than you. Maybe just a little bit taller than you. Bald guy, grayish civilish goldish car if that makes sense. Like it was like all those colors in one. Like it was gray, gold, and silver all in one. Like that's the color it was giving me. And what was the breakdown of the payment again? So >> it was the rent was 1,400. Okay. >> The pet deposit was 500 and security here deposit was 1,200. I thought it was 600 but that was not 800. It was 1,200. >> And you see that he sawed off the front door handle. >> Oh yeah. And she said that that's not even the same door handle that was on there. >> Must have saw off the lock box and the Oh, that's your Okay. Look >> the blue one. >> Hold on to this. I'm going to be I want to be straightforward and completely honest with you and Frank. All right. You're being you're being scammed for your home. Um this is what I believe now when I >> she's part of it. >> So play it smooth for now. I'm going explain everything to you. Okay. >> Let me see. This is what I'm sorry. Um so I believe that she's part of it, but I can't say for certain right now. I believe this to be one of those circumstances where she may have created a lease and came to the house and did this because there's a similar circumstance that she's involved in where it's almost the exact same thing. >> Really? >> I believe that that's going to be the case. So, I don't honestly right now she's not knowing that I'm going to play it a certain way. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> But I'm going to try to You got two options. Okay. She has to either leave and she or she has to be evicted. I'm going to do my best. it's coming in soft and then getting a little tough with it and to try to convince her that she's going to be investigated and >> that'll alleviate you of a lot of it because if if and but if technically I can't prove it so she can still be a victim. >> Uhhuh. >> And it's technically would be a civil ordeal. So you will still deal the options are she either leaves on her own which I'm going to try to really convince to do. >> Yeah. >> Or you have to evict her. >> Got it. So, you have you you saw that this exact same thing had happened with her prior. >> It's similar. Yes. >> Like how many years ago? Recent? >> Less than a year. >> Okay. All right. So, I'm just going to chill out and let you do your thing. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. >> All right. And then I'll let you know. >> Hold on to that. That's your report number. This in incident is going to be documented. Um, >> and is there any way that I can like move forward with like like how would I go forward with like getting my money back, getting getting to this dup, getting my money like how would I move forward about all >> I'm going to give you that information as well in a minute. Um, so how did you come into contact with this person? >> Zillow. >> Zillow. >> Yes. >> Is that where it was listed? >> Yes. >> Is it still listed? >> No, it's not because when I went on there to show her because she said her house is for sale and I told it was for rent and I went on there to go show her cuz I've given all the information I've given you. I've tried to give her too because like very unfortunate for the both of us >> and um >> and how are you guys communicating? >> Through email. >> Okay. You got an email chain that I can see. >> You said email >> like Yeah. Can I see the emails? >> Oh, chain. Okay. Yeah. I have to go on my computer to do that cuz that's this is my iCloud. It's on my Gmail. That's why I gave you my Gmail. >> Okay. >> And I can send you if you have an email, I can send you the chain, but I will have to go in my my house and get my computer. >> Are you able to do that now? >> iCloud? Yes, I can do that now, but I'm not f to like I can do that now, but like is this all like once I go back in and I come back out, that's gonna be it because I have to be to work at 9. That's what I'm telling both of you guys. I have to be to work at 9:00 and I can send you the information that you're asking for cuz I'm giving you all the information I have on my phone. Anything that's on my work, I mean on my computer, I can send it to you on an email. But standing here until now, it's not going to work because I'm getting frustrated because it's been almost two hours. So, if you have an email that I can drop down, I understand you want to just do air drop. So, if you have an email that I can just send to your coworker or anything else the case may be, I can send that to you because the emails was ranging between the 15th and the 28th >> and I can send that to you. But it's going to be 9:00 and I need to get to work. Um, >> okay. Well, this is the first time I heard about you having be to work at 9:00. So, I understand. >> Why not? I I haven't said it because she knows. >> Hold on. Hold on. >> I'm just getting frustrated because I'm I'm getting >> But you're also not you're also not allowed. You're also not allowing me to speak. I've been respectful. >> I've been respectful to you, too. >> But you're not allowing me to speak. Okay. So, >> so what I'm what I'm about to say is this is the first time hearing about you having to be at work at 9:00. >> Even though you stated it to her, I didn't hear that because I'm not her. >> Okay. I've been in my car for >> Can I get your badge number? >> It's right there on the form. So, let me let me also let you let me in my office. >> Let me also let you know this. Okay. >> So, that's fine. I understand your your concern. Um, you're going to be investigated for fraud. Okay, >> that's perfectly fine. I think my daddy told me that if there if there is probable cause, you're going to be arrested. Okay. So, one of the options, one your big option that I think you should take, I think you and the young lady should go ahead and possibly move out because if not, then we're going to come back and we're going to take you guys to jail. >> Okay? So, according to you, >> if you have probable cause, take you to jail. >> Okay? If you have probable cause, that's fine. And um that's fine. I'm not even going to say nothing else to you because I know how this works. My uncle is also a police. So, I'm not going to say nothing else to you. I'm going to allow you to do what you do. Um I'm going to send you the information that I have. Well, I've given you the information, right? All his information. I I I don't have it. I didn't receive your contact information. What is your name? >> Janette. >> You didn't receive my contact information. You mean like the >> your Yeah. By >> the number that you just sent me, right? I mean the number that I just gave you, right? >> Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. I haven't I haven't text back to that yet. >> Um Okay. Anything else you need to tell me? Because I will be >> Yeah. And make sure you vacate the premises um as soon as you can. >> Okay. Okay. So, um y'all can come back later. Y'all can go ahead and How about y'all? How about you can actually call people here and y'all can y'all how how long is it going to take to investigate? >> As long as it needs to take. >> Okay. Because now it's going to get a little further because you're saying you're trying to arrest me for fraud when I know it's not fraud and I have money that's been giving. So now it's going to go a little further. >> I said you' be investigated for fraud. >> You No, what you said was I need to vacate the premises because if I don't leave, I'm going to be record I mean for fraud basically all because I told you that I had to be at work and I got a little upset because that's not why that is. That is That is That wasn't the What's the name? That wasn't how it was going. >> I'm not going to debate you. You can go ahead and get ready for work. >> You'll come back later. You can come back later. Matter of fact, I will call other people here as well. You can call whoever you want. Um I have your number. Um for all any other information, I will contact you and get um if you have an email, I can send you any >> call general information, phone number, ask for officer Smith. My badge number is right there where it says officer number. >> Mhm. Okay. All right. So, what's the next step then? >> Basically, it's well, I'm going to let him tell you >> you could choose. >> Oh, no. According I'm not going to vacate. I'm going to let him investigate and do what he does. And once you find out I'm not fraud, then you can take the next steps because I can't believe that you just literally sat there and said, >> I say you're going to be investigated for He what he's saying is I believe he got frustrated because he wanted me to send an email for the change of the uh conversation between me and the douche and um >> under the fourth amendment physical possession of a dwelling even unlawful possession creates a protectable interest. In Soul versus Cook County decided in 1992 the Supreme Court held that the Fourth Amendment applies to civil evictions involving police. That single precedent is why the homeowner could not reenter her own property without a court order. The officer's approach was a consensual encounter. No detention, no Miranda warnings required as established in Terry versus Ohio. Voluntary statements gathered here were legally usable. The fraud warning was accurate and served as legitimate investigative pressure. The behavioral tell. The subject stayed calm under the fraud warning, but became evasive the moment documentation was requested. Courts treat evasion of documentation during fraud investigations as a relevant indicator under the totality of circumstances standard. Her statement, "I'm not leaving today," is a verbal assertion of unlawful detainer, regardless of how she entered the property. The cut door hardware is physical evidence of forced entry inconsistent with any legitimate rental arrangement where a landlord simply provides a key. Because the listing was internet-based, federal wire fraud under title 18, United States Code, section 1343 may apply alongside state charges. The eviction took 6 months. During that window, $40,000 in damages, accumulated, appliances stripped, property destroyed. This is the structural flaw. Tenant protection law can be weaponized to extend fraudulent occupancy. The procedure that protects becomes the exploit. Post eviction destruction constitutes independent criminal mischief, evidence of continued intent, which carries enhanced sentencing exposure. Restitution was discounted 75% based on financial circumstance. Courts have that discretion. The civil debt, however, remains enforcable. >> So, you see how that went? >> Are you understanding what's what's happening? What's going on? >> Yeah, soon he started fishing. She got a little agitated. >> Not even that. Once I started asking for further documentation >> to vet what she's saying, >> that's when she got defensive. >> Yeah. >> And she wasn't willing to give that up because, you know, she has somewhere she has to be. >> But I told her, as you heard, she's going to be investigated for fraud. >> Um, >> and that's what's going to happen. I'm giving her the option to leave. She may get spooked and leave. I just recommend that you come by maybe every other day, every day. I check your property. This is your property. you got right into I said I just recommend you ride by. Um this may spook her. A lot of people sometimes when they feel that they're getting >> they're getting close to getting caught, they like to put up a big fence. They put up a big barrier of defense to say no, no, no, no. This may very well be that because there's been a lot of circumstances where I've dealt with people to where they said, "Oh, no, no, no. I ain't worried about I ain't worried about it." And then when you come back out, they're gone because they're afraid. >> She like deface the house and take all my appliances and everything. >> And if if she does do that, she's one of the last documented people that's being in the house. But the only thing is with anything else, you have to be able to prove >> Yeah. >> that that's what's going on. Okay. >> Yeah. >> So, we got to kind of go through. >> Do I have any right to go in the house now to look at the state of it? >> No. Technically, no. Because technically she she technically still could be a true victim. Technically, she does have a expectation of privacy because technically she is renting the house. >> Understand. >> The eviction process takes 30 days after the person's been served. >> Holy [ __ ] >> After they after they've been served. >> God damn it. Even if even in this situation, it's 30 days >> because technically she could be telling you >> an offer on the house. >> Yeah. >> Oh my goodness gracious. >> I'm sorry. It does happen though. >> Yeah, that's what I'm hearing. >> Get this done as soon as you can. Talk with one of your business lawyers today. Um tell them what's going on. You already got it documented with the police. So you've crosscut they going to say call the police. You've already did all that. Um look into the eviction process far to county courts and it's going to tell you everything. Google it. It's going to tell you everything you need, >> what you need, cuz you it's going to say like person's name, all that stuff. It's all going to be documented in the report. >> Okay. All right. >> All right. >> Bye. >> Good luck to you. >> Um, so basically, so these are the numbers I need to call because I really don't appreciate how your attitude is changed. So, I'm just going to come. Me being a niece of a police, I don't know if you know my uncle name, but his name is Austin Smith. That's my uncle. Um, you probably don't know him, but I just don't like the fact that I I've given you all the information I've given you. I just told you I came out of homeless shelter. a person that come out of homeless shelter that has a three-year-old son. This is very frustrating to them. This is very frustrating and very mindful to them. I have a car in the back that has to get told here because it does not work. So, that's very frustrating for to hear those words even come out your mouth because I just gave you all the information I could. The only reason why I can't give you the last piece of information is because like I said, I have to go get off my computer. If you want to stay here for the next couple of minutes for me to get it, I can do that. But I've been saying for the last couple minutes and she knows that I've been telling her I have to get to work. Even when you came back and you said something about information, I said, "I hope it be pro a speedy process because I have to get to work." When she left and came back, I told her, she even asked me, she said, "Okay, well, will you be at work when I come back?" I said, "No, I don't have to be work at 9:00." So, excuse me for thinking that you heard that I had to be to work. But this [ __ ] this this is frustrating. This is very frustrating. I don't I don't even do all that damn emotional. It's frustrating. This is $3,100 plus more that I came out of pocket that I cannot get back. And basically y'all telling me that I have to move or I cannot get my money back. Then you're telling me that basically I'm a you're not telling me that I'm a fraud, but then again you you've been nice as to me until I couldn't do that. Then you begin to call me a fraud and have an attitude. My mother just passed. I don't have nobody toing help me and my dad damn he be in the picture when he wants to do. All that [ __ ] can do is spit out money. He's not here for me. So this is full screen greatness and for me to come tell black police and for him basically try to not even try to do anything because you were nice as you didn't do anything wrong until I told you I couldn't get those emails and I can get them for you. I just couldn't get them right now. >> Like I said, you you you do what you have to do because that will help me too get my money back. But all of that, oh, she's a fraud. She's a fraud. I don't take that lightly because my daddy will get me a lawyer and I will press I will press charges and I will do what I need to do. She tell you how she's bone rushing here. This is my property. She shouldn't be bone rushing the in here. But I didn't make it that make it that deep. You're bone rushing in here. Well, who the is in here while my child is in there? But I didn't make it a big deal because at the end of the day, just like it's unfortunate for me, it's unfortunate for her because she possibly have to come out money that she probably doesn't even have. So, it's a way of both things. But I just don't appreciate how you were so nice and so gentle until I told you I couldn't get that last piece of information, which I can. and I just couldn't get it right at the moment. And I have my job calling me because I signed up for overtime that I totally forgot about and that's why I was so extreme about it because I signed up for overtime at 8:30. It's 8:55. So they were calling me and that's why I kept running in and out the house. Running in and out the house so that I could talk to them without being in y'all face having to talk. >> But I felt like I shouldn't even have to explain none of that because I just wanted to >> apologize for even snapping on you. That's number one. Number two, letting you know that I did I didn't appreciate that because like I said, right, do you feel like your tone changed or not? Your tone changed. Your tone changed and your demeanor changed. >> And I didn't I didn't appreciate that at all. >> But that's what I wanted to let you know. >> Thank you. Good luck to you. Have a good day. >> Anything you want to say to the the people whose houses you stayed in? >> Unfortunately, that wasn't me. >> That is you in the video. What are you talking about? >> Unfortunately, that wasn't. So, I don't know what you're talking about. >> We don't have to leave anything until the police comes back and tell us what would be >> I have every right to be in this house. You don't have every right to be in the house. And my girlfriend owns the house, so I don't know what you need to take up WITH THE POLICE, BUT what whatever the case may be. >> I own the house, >> but yeah. >> Okay. >> No. No. >> If you tell >> the grades officer Smith B plus, he identified the constitutional boundary, advised the homeowner accurately, and applied investigative pressure without overreach. Deduction. The off- camera strategic coaching of the homeowner creates a credibility exposure. if the encounter had been legally challenged. Jana Jacobs, C minus. Four alleged instances of the same scheme eliminates the good faith defense entirely. Pattern is proof of intent. Homeowner people's A minus. Calling police instead of attempting self-help removal was legally correct. Deduction for a preventable security gap on the vacant property. Key takeaways. One, possession creates legal friction. Physical occupancy, even fraudulent, requires court process to unwind, not just police presence. Two, evasion of documentation is the signal. Genuine victims produce records. Participants in fraud delay, deflect, and disappear. Three, Zillow fraud is a federal exposure. Any internet-based rental scam crosses interstate wire. That is a title 18 section 1343 issue. Four, vacant listed properties are high-V value targets. Smart locks, cameras, and frequent check-ins are legal deterrence, not optional extras. Let us know if there is an interaction or legal topic you would like us to cover in the comments below. Thank you for watching. Don't forget to check out our second channel, Street Body Cam, for more police interaction and courtroom content.