Maryland homeowner fighting to reclaim his property after a family of squatters moved in using fake Instagram scam — but they’re demanding $5K to leave. What’s behind this troubling trend

Organized criminal networks are exploiting homeowners through fake online listings

According to dispatch audio and police reports obtained by ABC 7, officers were called to Pete’s property on May 29 after a realtor noticed signs of forced entry.

The BCPD report states that “a realtor attempted to show the property to a prospective renter when he noticed shavings on the ground of the front door entrance, the lockbox to the property missing, and the locks changed.” Police noted visible damage to the basement door consistent with forced entry.

According to police reports reviewed by ABC 7 News, the male occupant at Pete’s home admitted he knew what he was doing was wrong — but said he felt he had no other option. He reportedly claimed the individual told him the real homeowner might eventually show up but he’d have the chance to “work something out” when that happened. In some cases, however, renters don't know they are entering into a fraudulent lease.

Baltimore County Police say this isn’t an isolated incident. The same Instagram account that connected these squatters to Pete’s home has been mentioned in at least two other squatting cases in the area, including one in Windsor Mill and another in Baltimore City.

Just days later, a similar scene unfolded in East Baltimore. According to ABC 7 News, a man with active warrants was found living in a taxpayer-funded, newly renovated home meant for first-time buyers. Police said he appeared to have fallen victim to the same social media squatter scam and was later arrested following a standoff. The property owner, developer Joanna Bartholomew, said she discovered the unauthorized occupants just as the home was about to be finalized for sale. She called for immediate legal reforms to hold those behind the scam accountable.

Baltimore County State Delegate Ryan Nawrocki says these cases show a troubling trend: coordinated squatting scams that operate like organized crime. “We have people who are doing this time and time again, and we know who they are. It’s no different than any other criminal network that we would normally hold very seriously accountable,” he told ABC 7.

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Law enforcement struggles to prosecute squatting scams

As these scams grow more common, authorities say the legal system is struggling to keep up. Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger says these scams are difficult to prosecute because they often involve two sets of victims: homeowners, and tenants who believe they’ve found a legitimate place to live.

“You have a victim who signs a lease and gets ripped off—and you have a property owner who loses control of their home,” Shellenberger said. His office is pursuing charges when possible, but he says that criminals are finding ways to commit crimes that states lack laws to address.

Some states, like Florida and California, have begun passing laws to protect property owners from these situations.

Tips for homeowners: How to protect your home from squatting scams

Realtor.com suggests that homeowners can try to protect their property from squatters with security measures, such as:

• Secure vacant homes: Use security cameras, check the property frequently and alert neighbors if your property is unoccupied.
• Make the home look occupied: Timed lights, security signs, planters and even children's toys can make it look like someone lives in the home.
• Report tampering immediately: If locks are changed or signs of forced entry appear, notify police right away. The longer squatters stay, the harder it can be to remove them.
• Screen for your property online: Monitor real estate and social media platforms for listings using your address without your consent. Consider setting up an alert for your address that will notify you if anything about your address is posted.
• Consult a property attorney: Eviction and trespass laws vary by state, and laws are constantly changing. You may need legal help to remove unauthorized occupants.

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Tips for renters: How to avoid a fake lease

For those looking for a place to rent, Experian provides tips on how to avoid falling for a bogus listing:

• Don’t trust listings from social media: Scammers prey on desperation. If it seems too easy or too cheap, it probably is.
• Tour the property: This will prove the person offering the home has access. While it's not foolproof, it's another step that can help protect you.
• Verify the landlord’s identity: Ask to see ID, ownership documents or work through a licensed realtor.
• Watch for red flags: Cash-only payments, no background checks, lease agreements with vague or unusual language or being told to change the locks yourself indicate something isn’t right.
• Check the property’s status: Use county records or real estate platforms to confirm if it’s actually available for rent and who owns it. If the home is for sale or lists an owner other than the person you spoke with, walk away.

Squatting scams like this are growing more common and more sophisticated. Pete’s story is a warning for both homeowners and renters: in the age of online scams and fake listings, protecting your home, or finding one, may require more vigilance than ever.