Rental scams are on the rise in Atlanta, Georgia. This, reportedly, as fraudulent individuals, one allegedly named Jakerra Hester, pose as licensed agents to sell fake apartment listings and snatch up rental deposits. Now, victims are speaking out, sharing that they were allegedly promised luxury apartments, quick approvals, and same-day keys. This, only to receive none of that.
The Shade Room’s Justin Carter is speaking to licensed real estate broker Curtis Russell of Great Homes Atlanta. And sharing how renters can protect themselves on ‘TSR Investigates.’
How Fake Realtor Jakerra Hester Allegedly Sold Luxury Apartments
According to Carter, TikTok user @_tiavonaa lured renters with a TikTok page advertising her work in Atlanta. Pure Brown, an alleged client, says she was offered the opportunity to get into a loft without having to share her background information: credit, rental history, etc. Instead, she only had to pay $500.
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When she prepared to do so, Brown learned that a woman with the same name as the realtor, Jakerra Hester, had previously been arrested for fraud. Despite this, Brown was hopeful that the woman she was dealing with was the same woman in the headlines. And she ultimately sent her money over.
Then, when it was time to pick up her keys, Brown got ghosted. Then, when she requested that her money be sent back, the woman declined.
More On The Victims Of The Alleged Rental Scam
To make matters worse. The owner of the space that Jakerra Hester was trying to rent also took to TikTok, exposing the fraud scheme.
“That is not for rent. It’s my house that I currently own,” the owner told TikTok viewers.
Scroll above to watch as Carter breaks down Hester’s elaborate scheme and how she was allegedly impersonating a licensed realtor with her photos, videos, and more. Additionally, Carter shares footage of the woman who was being impersonated and how she has addressed the scheme. Furthermore, Carter shares statements from other realtors who have been impersonated, along with what renters need to know to prevent the same thing from happening to them.
