INDIANAPOLIS — Fishers police arrested a woman in connection with an ongoing rental scheme following an extensive investigation, the department announced Wednesday.
In the fall of 2021, the Fishers Police Department said they launched an investigation into a possible rental home scheme involving Megan Stoner, 25, of Elwood.
Stoner's scheme reportedly hinged on misrepresenting herself as the owner of a home in Fishers, according to the department.
She allegedly scammed three victims into signing a lease agreement, and giving her money for their deposit and first month’s rent.
But Stoner allegedly never provided keys or access to the home.
An arrest warrant was issued for Stoner on April 26, 2023, and she turned herself in to the Hamilton County Jail the following day.
She now faces six felony counts for theft and fraud, a felony count of corporate business influence and two misdemeanors.
Victoria Hampton has been waiting a year-and-a-half for justice. She said she was scammed out of $1,800 by Stoner in 2021 after accepting an offer to sublet Stoner's apartment.
But Hampton never got the keys or her money back. The only thing she got were excuses, she said, including blaming sick relatives for the reason Stoner didn't move.
"And I said, 'Megan, I'm sorry, but I'm going to be homeless and you don't seem to care about that,'" Hampton said.
Hampton, now 70 years old, said she never expected it.
"I was just so excited to get an apartment, I didn't even think of anyone doing anything like that. This girl was driving a Tesla, living in a house in Fishers," said Hampton.
The alleged scam left Hampton financially devastated and she was forced to move to Arizona and live with a friend until she got back on her feet.
"I was heartbroken, crying, scrambling," said Hampton. "Like, 'What am I going to do? Where am I going to go?'"
The Better Business Bureau gave these four tips to avoid scams:
- Watch out for deals that seem to be too good.
- Search online for similar properties.
- See the property in person.
- Don't pay a stranger with cash transfer apps.
Now, Hampton said, it's not about getting the money back, but rather getting justice.