KENT, Wash. - It can be difficult to find an apartment in today's tight rental market, but police say not to be tempted by offers that sound too good to be true.

One scam in Kent left people out hundreds of dollars with no place to stay.

Jessica Hansen was supposed to be moved into her new apartment by Thursday. Instead she's homeless.

Hansen couldn't afford her own place, so she was thrilled when she found an ad on Craigslist. A woman living at the Skyline Park Apartments in Kent was looking for a roommate. Hansen paid a deposit but when she showed up to move in, the doors to apartment #h 207 were locked.

"Went there, she had texted me that she'd be there by 3:30, they never answered the door," Hansen said.

Hansen wasn't the only one to show up. The same room had been rented multiple times.

"I game 'em $180, but the ads I'm seeing online - some people gave them $1,000," Hansen said.

Police say the apartment managers knew nothing about the deception. They don't allow sublets, and were already in the process of evicting the couple in unit #h-207 for other reasons.

Police are still tracking down victims, and have already charged one suspect, Amy Lee Tayor, with two counts of theft.

KING

Jessica Hansen was supposed to be moved into her new apartment by Thursday.

"We have filed two counts of misdemeanor theft against the woman that advertised for the roommate and took the money," said Paul Peterson, of Kent Police.

Once people realized the room rental was a fraud, they flagged the ads on Craigslist and they were taken down. Police say to avoid falling victim a scam like this, deal only with the apartment rental office. Shortcuts won't get you a good deal -- but they're a sure route to losing your money.