At Least 12 Families Ripped Off In Largo Rental Home Scheme

LARGO, FL -- Largo Police are seeking more victims in a fraud scheme involving a rental home in which 12 families have already been ripped off.

The investigation began June 19 when police received complaints that a couple were portraying themselves as the owners of a home at 1091 Lexington Court in Largo and were advertising it for rent.

The couple had at least 12 families sign lease agreements and took deposits from them ranging from $1,000 up to $4,300. The total amount of deposits so far is more than $25,000.

Police were called to the scene Tuesday when five families showed up at the home at the same time to take possession. One of the families had traveled from Indiana with all of their possessions in a U-Haul trailer.

Because of the relocation expenses and the money lease deposit, the Indiana family had exhausted their resources. Neighbors in the Largo subdivision pitched in so the family could afford gas to return to Indiana.

Other families bilked in the scheme had to scramble to find new places to live since they’d already packed up and moved from their previous homes.

All of the involved families took significant financial hits, said Largo Police Detective Steve Allred.

Police identified the people offering the phony leases as Nicole Johnson, 29, and David Johnson, 32.

Beginning in January, the Johnsons reportedly trolled Facebook and other social media sites seeking out families looking for rental properties. They then contacted the families by Facebook messenger and texts with an opportunity to rent a house in a desirable neighborhood.

The victims were given tours of the home, provided with printed and signed lease agreements and given receipts for associated deposits.

Almost all of the families researched the home and the people pretending to lease it, and found that the names of the owners matched tax and property appraiser records, lending legitimacy to the scam.

"They had us going us going for awhile," said victim Bryan Walker. "They strung us along pretty good. Everything panned out. It seemed legit."

At one point, Walker asked Nicole Johnson for a firm move-in date and she told him she'd just had a stillborn birth. The Johnsons already have twin daughters and a son.

"My heart went out to her," said Walker who has three daughters, 10 years, 7 years and 10 months old. "I felt bad for her and agreed to wait."

On Tuesday, Walker was the first to show up to move into the house and was surprised when the family from Indiana arrived. The lease for his apartment where he resided with his wife and three daughter, ages 10 and 7 years old and 10 months old. He works two jobs to support them and said he was thrilled to find the house for lease because "it's very difficult to find rental properties in this area."

"I was the one who actually called the police," he said. "I was lucky. I only gave her $1,250. Other people paid a lot more."

With nowhere to live, Walker sent his wife and children to stay with family members in Virginia City while he searches for a new place to live.

Melissa Colon, a single mom with three children, said she was so excited to be able to offer her children a real home with a yard. Now, after giving all of her savings to the Johnsons, she and her children are living in a hotel room.

"It breaks my heart," said Allred. "Everything about this seemed reasonable to the victims. They got a tour of the home and the amount of rent they were asking was what you'd expect to pay in this neighborhood."

The Johnsons coordinated the move-in dates for their victims to coincide with their departure from the state.

At this point, Allred said it appears the Johnsons fled to New York just days before the first victims were scheduled to take possession of the rental property.

According to Allred, the home was owned by Nicole Johnson’s parents, Lisa and Christopher Dominic. The Johnsons were tenants of the home but apparently represented themselves as Lisa and Christopher Dominic so the names would match up to the county tax and ownership records.

Allred said victims are continuing to come forward as the investigation unfolds.

"We're still getting calls from people today saying they were defrauded by these people," said Allred. "It's like drinking from a fire hydrant. The information is still pouring in."

He advised anyone who has been a victim to come to the Largo Police Department with any rental agreements or other paperwork they received.

Charges against the Johnsons include fraud and forging the signatures of the homeowner. Allred said the couple also stole her parents' car.

He added that the Dominics have been cooperative and didn't realize their daughter was involved in the scheme, said Allred.

Anyone who was defrauded by the Johnsons is encouraged to contact Allred at (727) 586-7475 or Detective Lara Young at (727) 587-6757.

Images via Largo Police

Victim Bryan Walker speaks to the media.