CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - More than 25 Fort Campbell soldiers returning from war tried to find a new home, but instead found themselves out thousand of dollars. It's part of the largest housing scam Fort Campbell has ever seen and what's even more shocking is who police said is behind it.
They traced the online housing scam back to someone living on post at Fort Campbell, a pregnant military wife who police said scammed her fellow military family.
For one victim, Jessica Halstead, she thought she found the perfect house online for her move from Colorado to Fort Campbell.
"We wrote her, she called us back and said 'hey, the house is for rent. You can move in on June 6th,'" Halstead recalled.
After a hefty deposit followed by weeks of move in delays, Halstead knew something wasn't right.
"We just stayed a hotel for a month and a half and then come to find out we were scammed," Halstead said.
Not only was their dream house occupied, but 25 other families were told they could move in too.
Police said the mastermind behind this online housing scam targeting military families was Stephanie Hairston, who lived on the post.
"We thought she was trustworthy. You know she said she was pregnant and who doesn't believe a pregnant person?" said Halstead.
Hairston's military status gave her access to the Department of Defense relocation web site AHRA.com. She also posted the same house on Craigslist.
Clarksville police said she first secured the deposit then their trust, inviting one victim over to dinner.
Fort Campbell Consumer Affairs officials helped the soldiers who were scammed find the cash for a legit rental home. But they said it's warning that a certain trust in this community no longer exists.
"It's soldiers and to think that somebody would do that to a family who lives at Fort Campbell, it was almost unbelievable," said Betty Geren with the Consumer Affairs Department on post.
She added that any family relocating should first check with their department before ever signing a contract. They will check out the person and the rental site for any suspicious activity happening with the listing.
