Home Selling Scam

This is one of those stories that keeps getting bigger and bigger! We started investigating allegations that Michael Craft was scamming people about a month ago. Each interview led me down a different

Wednesday, April 2nd 2008, 5:51 pm

By: News 9


This is one of those stories that keeps getting bigger and bigger! 
We started investigating allegations that Michael Craft was scamming people about a month ago.  Each interview led me down a different path and I ended up finding so much, I couldn't fit it all in the story that went out on air.  So here are the things I couldn't mention...


One of the victims, Cindy Watson thought Craft worked for Affordable Homes in Oklahoma City.  And she had good reason to believe that.  She met Craft at one of their offices.  But come to find out, Affordable Homes says they were scammed, too!  They say Michael Craft had come to their office one day.  He said he knew one of their employees and said some friends were about to meet him in the area.  He asked if he could use one of their desks briefly.  They let him, not knowing he was about to scam Cindy.  They say he pointed out a trailer on their lot and said that was the one Cindy could have.  Nevermind that it wasn't his to sell... and it was already sold to someone else!

There are 2 other people not included in the story who say they were scammed.  Phil Meeks says he gave Craft a 500 dollar down payment in February and has nothing to show for it.  And Chad Webb has the same story.  He gave Craft 500 dollars for a trailer in Guthrie.  He was supposed to have a walk through 3 weeks ago, but hasn't been able to reach Craft.

***If your suspicious about the person selling you property, check with the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission.  If you're trying to sell a home - or even a mobile home as long as it's on property, you must have your real estate license (unless it's your own property).  Michael Craft is NOT licensed.

You have to wonder what's going on in his life!  He does not have a prior criminal history that we could find.  But in the last 3 months, 5 people say he's scammed them.  Oklahoma City P.D., Edmond P.D., and Cleavland County Sheriff's Dept. are all investigating him... and OKC P.D. just filed charges.  He owes back child support.  He walked out of his apartment owing rent. 

I hope he calls with an explanation - and a way to pay his victims back.  These are people who are trying to make a better life for themselves.  They have kids and want a place to call their own.  Now several of them say it will take them about a year - or longer - to save up and start over again.  For instance, Nicole has to now save while paying 1,200 dollars a month for that 1 bedroom hotel room!  She had an apartment, but moved into the hotel thinking she'd only have to stay there for 4 days - and you don't have to sign a lease there.

Maybe someone will recognize him.... I will definitely keep you updated!

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