OAKLAND PARK, FL – A South Florida mother and her two children have been left homeless after falling victim to a sophisticated rental scam that cost her thousands of dollars and led to her eviction.
The $6,300 Trap
In February, Brendy Francis connected with a woman advertising an apartment for rent at the La Estancia apartments in Oakland Park. The woman, identified by police as Harmony Fucien, posed as a legitimate realtor.
Fucien gave Francis a physical walkthrough of the apartment and demanded $6,300 in cash to cover the first month’s rent, last month’s rent, and a security deposit. Trusting the setup, Francis paid the amount and moved in with her children.
The Shocking Eviction
The scam unraveled in April when Francis attempted to pay her regular monthly rent. The complex’s leasing manager informed her that the unit had an outstanding balance of over $5,000.
According to the police arrest report:
- Francis was never listed as an official tenant on the lease.
- Fucien had used a stolen identity and a fake check to initially secure the keys from the complex.
- Once confronted, Fucien blocked Francis on social media and cut off all phone communication.
Because she was not a legal tenant, the apartment complex evicted Francis and discarded her belongings, including her children’s beds, dressers, and dining furniture.
Suspect Arrested
Following an investigation by Broward County detectives, Harmony Fucien was arrested in May for her role in the scam. Investigators confirmed that the entire operation was fraudulent from the start.
Francis, who is now looking to retain a lawyer and rebuild her life, urged other local renters to be extremely cautious. “Please don’t fall into these traps,” she warned. “Don’t trust nobody, please just go to the legit way.”
