By Redaccion
[email protected]
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced that Jenifer Singh (DOB 11/02/78), formerly of Simi Valley, has been charged with two felony counts of grand theft.
A warrant for her arrest was issued on November 20, 2024, and remains outstanding.
The charges stem from two alleged rental fraud incidents. In December 2023, Singh reportedly placed flyers at a laundromat in Thousand Oaks advertising a home for rent in Simi Valley. A local family responded to the flyer and contacted Singh, who claimed she was authorized to lease the property. In January 2024, the family paid Singh $2,500 in cash as a deposit to secure the rental. However, investigators later determined that Singh did not own the home, nor was she authorized to act on behalf of its true owner. The family never gained access to the property, and Singh failed to return the $2,500 deposit.
A second alleged incident occurred in March 2024, when Singh advertised the same Simi Valley property for rent on Facebook Marketplace. A Simi Valley family saw the advertisement and reached out to Singh. On April 19, 2024, Singh met with the prospective tenants at the property and again claimed she was authorized to rent it. During this meeting, she collected $3,000 in cash as a deposit. Shortly after, she requested and received an additional $1,000 from the same victims, claiming it was needed for a medical procedure. In total, Singh collected $4,000 from the second family. As with the first case, she did not own the property, nor was she authorized by the actual owner to lease it or collect funds. The second family never gained access to the property, and Singh did not return the money.
Both cases were investigated by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit. Authorities believe there may be additional victims of Singh’s alleged rental fraud scheme. Anyone with information about Singh’s whereabouts or who suspects they were defrauded is encouraged to contact the Real Estate Fraud Unit at (805) 662-1750.
Tips to Avoid Rental Fraud
Local authorities have provided the following recommendations to help residents protect themselves from rental scams:
• Always sign a lease agreement and visit the interior of the property before paying rent or a deposit.
• Avoid wiring money or paying in cash to unknown parties.
• Confirm the property owner or landlord’s identity by speaking with current tenants.
• Be cautious of rental offers that bypass credit or background checks.
• Use reputable leasing agencies or licensed real estate professionals when seeking rentals.
