Police investigate after woman claims fake landlord schemed her out of $500 deposit

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — WFTV found out that a woman is under investigation by police for allegedly taking hundreds of dollars in deposits for rental homes, but the homes weren't ever really for rent.

WFTV's Ryan Hughes spoke to a victim Wednesday.

The victim met the woman on Craigslist and gave her a deposit of $500, but then she said she never heard from the woman again.

"It was a lot to us. Maybe no for other people but for us it was a lot," said Danielle Negroni.

Negroni and her family of five wanted to rent the home, but after paying the deposit they learned the home wasn't even available to rent.

Negroni claims the woman used her own father's house as a decoy. Heather Hall-Haerr even took Negroni on a tour inside the home so Negroni could look around.

"And we met up at the property, which happened to be her father's house, which I didn't know at the time," said Negroni.

Then Negroni said all communication stopped. About a week went by and Hall-Haerr apparently called to apologize, saying she felt bad that she ripped off the family, but Negroni said she never returned the money.

Negroni said she was shocked about what Hall-Haerr told her.

"That she had done this a number of times before and her husband taught her how to do it," said Negroni.

The number of victims is unclear. The Saint Cloud Police Department is investigating and an arrest warrant could be issued for Hall-Haerr in the near future.

Negroni warns others to watch out when using Craigslist to find a place to live.

"I hope in the future she doesn't do that to anyone else," said Negroni.

WFTV talked to Hall-Haerr's father. He said he actually expected someone to show up at his home ready to move in at the beginning of this month.

WFTV