RENTAL AND REAL ESTATE SCAMS

INTERNET CRIME COMPLAINT CENTER ISSUES
WARNING ABOUT RENTAL AND REAL ESTATE SCAMS

Individuals need to be cautious when posting rental properties and real estate on-line.
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) continues to receive numerous complaints from
individuals who have fallen victim to scams involving rentals of apartments and houses, as
well as postings of real estate on-line.
Rental scams occur when the victim has rental property advertised and is contacted
by an interested party. Once the rental price is agreed upon, the scammer forwards a
check for the deposit on the rental property to the victim. The check is to cover housing
expenses and is either written in excess of the amount required, with the scammer asking
for the remainder to be remitted back, or the check is written for the correct amount, but
the scammer backs out of the rental agreement and asks for a refund. Since the banks
do not usually place a hold on the funds, the victim has immediate access to them and
believes the check has cleared. In the end, the check is found to be counterfeit and the
victim is held responsible by the bank for all losses.Another type of scam involves real estate that is posted via classified advertisement
websites. The scammer duplicates postings from legitimate real estate websites and
reposts these ads, after altering them. Often, the scammers use the broker’s real name
to create a fake email, which gives the fraud more legitimacy. When the victim sends an
email inquiring about the home, she receives a response from someone claiming to be
the owner. The “owner” says he and his wife are currently on missionary work in a foreign
country and he needs to rent their home while they are away. If the victim is interested
in renting the home, she’ll be asked to send money to the owner in the foreign country.
Only later will she realize she’s been scammed.

Missing Person:

Missing Person: Dannitta Jenkins

The Metropolitan Police Department is seeking the assistance of the public in attempting to locate a missing adult female identified as 36-year-old Dannitta Jenkins.

Ms. Jenkins was reportedly last seen on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at approximately 2:30 pm in the 900 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NW.

Ms. Jenkins is described as a black female, approximately 5’0-5’4” in height, and weighing approximately 110-130 pounds (thin build). She is further described as having brown eyes and black hair that is styled in braids. She was reportedly last observed wearing blue pants, a brown shirt and a brown jacket.

Anyone who may observe Dannitta Jenkins or may have information as to her whereabouts is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099

Stolen Vehicle

March 25, 2010
Stolen Vehicle with Infant Aboard Recovered Quickly

The Metropolitan Police Department has announced that a vehicle which was stolen earlier this morning with an infant child aboard was quickly recovered. The child was reportedly unharmed during the incident and was subsequently reunited with her family.

At approximately 7:19 am on Thursday, March 25, 2010, a sport utility vehicle was stolen in the area of North Capitol and P Streets, NW, with an infant child inside. An immediate lookout was broadcast for the vehicle and a short time later, alert officers from the Fifth District observed a vehicle matching that description in the 200 block of N Street, NW, where the child was located inside.

The suspect(s) wanted in connection with this case remain at large at this time. The Metropolitan Police Department is currently attempting to identify possible persons of interest in connection with this case.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIME (1-888-919-2746).

Anonymous information may also be forwarded to DC Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS and to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. If the information provided by a caller to Crime Solvers leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

MPD Seeks Bank Robbery Suspect

March 26, 2010


Members of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Robbery Task Force and the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force are seeking the public’s assistance in attempting to identify and locate a bank robbery suspect believed to be responsible for several offenses.

On Thursday, March 25, 2010 at approximately 2:10 pm, a male suspect entered the Chevy Chase bank in the 1200 block of F Street NW, passed the teller a note demanding money, implied that he had a weapon and obtained currency. In the commission of this robbery, the suspect was reportedly wearing a tan and white sweater, tan pants and carrying a laptop style shoulder bag.

The same suspect is believed to have robbed the PNC Bank located in the 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue SE on March 12, 2010; the Chevy Chase Bank located in the 600 block of F Street NW on March 8, 2010; the Chevy Chase Bank in the 1200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue NW on January 6, 2010; and the Chevy Chase Bank in the 300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue SE on November 23, 2009. In each of the incidents, the suspect handed the teller a note demanding money, implied that he had a weapon and obtained currency.

The suspect is described as a black male, 5’10” to 6’0” tall, weighing between 150 to 160 pounds, who is believed to be in his late 40s to 50s, with a dark complexion, gray facial hair, wearing glasses, often wearing a black skull cap, dark colored hooded coat or a black leather jacket and carrying a black bag across his shoulder.

Anyone with information about these cases should take no direct action, but call police at 202-727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIM[E] – 1-888-919-2746. The Metropolitan Police Department is currently offering a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for this bank robbery.

Additionally, anonymous information may be forwarded to DC Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS and to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. If the information provided by a caller to Crime Solvers leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

7th District RECOGNIZED FOR SUBDUING VIOLENT ASSAILANT

On June 9, 2009, Officers Benjamin Mallory and Derek Washington were walking foot beat patrols in PSA 702, conducting routine engagement with the community. As they were walking, they were approached by a subject who began uttering incoherently. Eventually, the officers were discerned that the subject was upset for arresting him days earlier. Neither officer could recall any previous encounter with the subject and had no idea what he was talking about.

The officers informed the subject that he was mistaken and directed him to continue moving. The officers then proceeded to a local business for a routine business check when the same subject entered the establishment.Recognizing that the subject did not belong there, the officers asked him to leave. Moments later, while the officers were outside talking to a business employee, the subject approached the officers and began to physically assault them. Their efforts to subdue the subject’s vicious attack had no effect on the subject.

Eventually, Officer Washington voiced a 10-33 over the air. Sergeant Laswaun Washington responded to the scene as did other members of the Seventh District. Once Sergeant Washington arrived and assessed the situation, he determined that Officer Mallory was under severe stress. Sergeant Washington immediately responded by tackling the subject to ground, saving Officer Mallory’s life. The subject continued his assault on anyone he encountered. Officer Jeremy Bank assisted Sergeant Washington in eventually subduing the subject. Officers Washington and Mallory sustained injuries as a result of the assault.

For successfully subduing a dangerous criminal who viciously attacked several of MPD
officers, these officers were recognized during the March 2010 CHAMPS ceremony. They
were among 22 MPD members honored during this month’s ceremony.