Several Valley Families Rented The Same Condo In Massive Social Media Scam

Several families across the Valley were scammed into renting the same condo at the same time on Facebook, reported Fox 10 Phoenix.

As a result of the crime, some of the families were forced to sleep in their cars.

Police worked to track down and arrest the man accused of being behind the scheme.

A couple of the victims said they they found the listing for the home on Facebook Marketplace. After a woman posted about the scam, she said that more of the victims came forward.

Brook Hites says the scammer rented the same condo out to multiple families. As a result, Hites has been sleeping in her car.

Hites said, "The landlord and I filled it out together on the 10th. I gave her a $900 deposit. Two days later she said she needed half of the first month's rent. I gave her another $400. Move-in date was supposed to be Saturday the 13th but the apartment never became available."

Another victim, Courtney Taylor, said, "Why would you do that knowing that peoples' children are relying on a home? Why would you take money from kids essentially? Was it necessary? I want to know where the money went. I really want to know."

Hites said that a man named Christopher Stress admitted to her that the ad was not legitimate. Stress was arrested on suspicion of multiple charges, including theft by misrepresenting retail.

The victims started a GoFundMe page that will be split among them to recover from the money lost.

Photo: Getty Images