BALTIMORE (WBFF) — An alleged squatter and a property manager confront each other as questions arise about a social media-fueled network promoting last resort and “squatter houses” despite lacking apparent legal interest.
Spotlight on Maryland spent weeks investigating and reviewing dozens of ads for properties, both publicly posted on Instagram and privately discussed in a now-defunct encrypted WhatsApp chat room. The social media advertisements promoted opportunities for individuals to move into homes and claim them as their own.
Access to these properties typically costs between $1,500 and $5,000 for keys and fraudulent leasing documents, according to the reviewed ads.
One Instagram post in late April, titled “Another House Gone,” boasted about locating an alleged squatter to a house in Northwest Baltimore. The video shared by the account offered a tour of the multi-level rowhome, which appeared newly refinished.
“The locks are getting changed,” the social media user said, standing in front of an open door before continuing the tour upstairs. “She wanted a three-bedroom because she has kids.”
After reviewing the Instagram video, Spotlight on Maryland located the property manager for the home featured in the video. The property manager, who asked to be identified as John due to concerns for his safety, spoke with Spotlight on Maryland outside the Northwest Baltimore home on Thursday regarding the Instagram video.
This is a daily occurrence in the city,” John said. “We get about three to five a month, if not more, that we deal with, with squatters just breaking in and then posting it on Instagram while they’re doing this action.”
John said the property owner he represents contacted his management company immediately when he saw what he believed to be a tour of his rental circulating online.
“It was mind-blowing to be honest with you,” John said. “Not only that, we went to the Southern District police [station] to get someone to talk to us, and no one would talk to us. We were there for three and a half hours to speak with a detective to prove that this person is breaking and entering, we have it on video that they were changing the locks on the property.”
“Nobody wanted to speak to us,” John added.
Spotlight on Maryland sent questions to the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) about the agency’s standard policy for dealing with squatters. Lindsey Eldridge, a spokesperson for BPD, pointed to the agency’s online policy on squatters and property fraud schemes, which was adopted in September 2017.
“If the Squatter is established as a Residential Victim by producing any documentation (e.g., lease, deed, or other property record), even if the document appears falsified, the Squatter will be presumed to have established residence and no action shall be taken,” the BPD policy says. “Rather, the property owner will need to initiate the eviction process to have the subject removed from the property.”
Baltimore City District Court records show that an attorney representing John, his management company, and the property owner filed a wrongful detainer complaint soon after they realized the property appeared to have been seized by unauthorized tenants.
“We opened the lockbox, we went with the key to the door, started to try to open the door, and realized the locks had been changed,” John said. “We knocked on the door, a lady opened the door and says, ‘What do you want? This is my property.’”
Spotlight on Maryland knocked on the door of the Northwest Baltimore house after its interview with John. Monica, a pseudonym for the female occupant, answered the door and stepped outside.
“I was told by, I wouldn’t say a third, probably a second party, about this girl who has properties on, at the time, Facebook Marketplace,” Monica said. “I guess her Facebook Marketplace made it to more social medias [sic], more networks, and more pockets, I guess.”
She’s advertising squatter homes. She does this for a certain fee, and she’ll move you into somebody’s property that’s not yours, which is about my case,” Monica added.
Monica said the home was advertised to include electricity for a fixed transaction price. She added she paid in cash for the transaction; however, she was also aware of online payment options.
Spotlight on Maryland asked Monica if she was concerned about having to abruptly relocate herself, several children, and a domestic partner, given the property owner’s and manager’s new awareness of the situation.
“Oh, I know that’s what’s going to happen,” Monica said. “But, God has always got my back, and when you don’t do f—ked up things to people, your blessings will come. Making sure he is blessed back with his home the same way it was left, that’s going to make sure that I’m good and make sure God keeps blessing me.”
During the exchange, three BPD officers who had been called to the scene observed the interaction. They watched as the woman and her domestic partner shook hands with John and then returned inside the property at the conclusion of Monica’s four-minute interview with Spotlight on Maryland.
John said the interaction renewed his focus on getting Monica out of the property.
They got to get out, bottom line,” John said. “It’s not their house. They don’t own it. They’re not renters, they have no legal authority to be in there.”
Meanwhile, Monica alleged that she received significant threats from the Instagram advertiser after she shared her story with Spotlight on Maryland.
Spotlight on Maryland contacted the Instagram user on Sunday and Monday who posted John’s property. The user firmly denied any wrongdoing and declined interview requests.
Follow Gary Collins with Spotlight on Maryland on X. Do you have news tips on this story or others? Send news tips to gmcollins@sbgtv.com.
Spotlight on Maryland is a collaboration between FOX45 News, WJLA in Washington, D.C., and The Baltimore Sun.
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