2 Women Arrested in College Student Apartment Scam

The West Columbia Police Department arrested two women for allegedly defrauding college students of money in an apartment scam.

Investigators arrested Cynthia Louise Allen, 23, of West Columbia, and Coreshia Malasia Henry, 25, of Sumter, on Tuesday.

Both suspects were charged with obtaining goods by false pretense.

Allen and Henry have been released on bond from the Lexington County Detention Center.

Chief Dennis Tyndall said the victims placed ads on Craigslist looking for someone to take over their student housing leases.

Allen and Henry would then contact the victims and take money from them in exchange for assuming the lease contract, Tyndall said.

Police say once Allen and Henry received the money, they would stop communicating with the victims and never took over the lease.

When trying to sublease an apartment, Tyndall offers the following tips:

1. Never pay, wire transfer or give money to any person to take over your lease;
2. Always follow the Rental Property sublease terms;
3. Have the person who is taking over your lease fill out the necessary contracts with the rental property staff;
4. Don’t mail, fax or email a blank lease agreement to a potential sub-lessee. Have them work details out through the property rental office.

Tyndall urged anyone who has been targeted by Allen and Henry, or others of a similar nature to contact their local law enforcement agency.