DeLand, FL – A 26-year-old woman who allegedly scammed people out of thousands of dollars through online rent ads is finally in custody.
Donshenieka Y. Irvin was booked at Volusia County Jail on Tuesday and is being held on $50,500 bond as of 1pm Wednesday.
Jail records show Irvin’s charged with 3 counts of organized scheme to defraud, 2 counts of grand theft, 2 counts of obtaining property with worthless checks and driving with a suspended license.
Irvin’s arrest comes nearly a month after the DeLand Police Department sent out a press release saying that she was using Craigslist to find victims.
DeLand PD Sergeant Chris Estes said at the time that approximately 12 victims have been scammed out of several thousand dollars collectively.
Investigators think the scammers posted ads on Craigslist for apartments or condominiums that are available for rent, usually asking anyone who’s interested in paying up front for various fees.
“Once the money is transferred and the victims attempt to move, it’s learned that the property is already occupied or not actually an available rental,” Estes noted at the time of the press release.
Irvin has been positively identified as a suspect in this scam, according to DeLand PD.
The DeLand PD arrest report noted that Irvin was arrested at the driveway of a home in Deltona and that she’s also facing similar charges in Seminole County.
Anyone with information or thinks they may be a victim is asked to contact DeLand PD Detective Jamie Brazeau at 386-626-7428 or Crime Stoppers at 888-277-TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward.
Donshenieka Y. Irvin (mugshot courtesy VCJ)
Copyright 2015 Southern Stone Communications.