Cynthia Louise Allen (left), Coreshia Malasia Henry (Image: Lexington Co. Detention Center)
West Columbia, SC (WLTX) - West Columbia police have arrested two women they say used an apartment scam to take kids money.
Cynthia Louise Allen, 23, and Coreshia Malasia Henry, 25, are charged with obtaining goods under false pretenses.
The two are free on bond.
West Columbia Police Chief Dennis Tyndall says the victims would place ads on Craigslist looking for people sublease their student housing leases. Allen and Henry, Tyndall says, would contact the victims and take money from them in exchange for assuming the lease. However, officers say once they got the money, they stopped contacting the victims, and never took over the lease.
Tyndall offers the following tips to the public on subleasing an apartment:
1. Never pay, wire transfer or give money to any person to take over your lease
2. Always follow the Rental Property sublease terms
3. Have the person who is taking over your lease fill out the necessary contracts with the rental property staff
4. Don't mail, fax or email a blank lease agreement to a potential sub-lessee. Have them work details out through the property rental office.