OKC Police Search For Suspects In Rental Property Scams

Police are on the lookout for two suspects believed to be involved in a rental property scam in Oklahoma City.

The couple is thought to be behind at least two scams, but may have slipped up in their latest attempt to dupe an unsuspecting couple.

The most recent incident occurred in late May. Police were called out to a rental property in the 2400 block of SW 90th St. by the property manager. The manager told police that there were people at the house that should not be there.

At the scene, officers spoke with the property manager and the couple and it became clear that the couple was the victim of a rental scam.

The couple told the officers they first learned of the rental property on Craigslist. They called the person on the listing and agreed to meet in the library at Oklahoma City Community College. They described the woman as a black heavyset female of average height that had straight, long dark hair, wearing black and white clothing that “looked very professional.”

According to police, the suspect gave the couple a rental application and asked for a $500 deposit. The couple gave the suspect the money in cash and in turn received a receipt signed “Katherine Williams”. The suspect told the couple she would meet them later at the house, but did not show.

The meeting at the OCCC library turned out to be fortunate to the investigation, however. Police contacted school officials and were able to get surveillance footage that shows the victims and the alleged suspects during their transaction. The second suspect drove the first suspect to the school and sat nearby while the transaction took place. They were driving in a gold, 2000s model Chevy Monte Carlo.

Police also say the name “Katherine Williams” came up in a previous report earlier in May, in which a woman and man matching the same description scammed another woman at a rental property in the 3300 block of SW 46th St. During that scam, the suspects made off with a $1,000 deposit.

If you recognize the people or the vehicle in the photo, you are asked to call Crime Stoppers at (405) 235-7300. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.