CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police are looking for a Charlotte woman who they said stole more than $800 from a couple by pretending to be a leasing agent.
"We think she's done this before, and she's got a little practice at it," said Officer Mike Haney, with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
Shanika Gamble was charged with credit card fraud and lying to police a few weeks ago. Since that arrest, police said Gamble has gotten better at taking other people's money.
Officers said Gamble scammed two people in mid-June by pretending to be a leasing agent at an east Charlotte apartment complex.
Detectives have visited Gamble's old addresses and have interviewed her old acquaintances, but they have not been able to find her.
"It makes me think that there are other victims out there," Haney said.
Police said Gamble saw a couple walking around the complexes off Villa Lakes Drive. Police believe she sensed an opportunity, and approached them about making a down payment on a unit.
Gamble did go to the leasing office, and gave her real ID and a small deposit in order to temporarily get a key to an apartment.
That's when the victims handed over the money. Police said the couple immigrated to America last week and did not speak English.
"That should be a concern to everybody, especially someone being ripped off like that," said resident Fred Jones.
Residents are hoping that someone comes forward with new information.
"She'll do it to somebody else, if she ain't already did it," Jones said.
Police believe Gamble is preying on people who don't speak English, or who are new to the area.
"She is obviously a risk to people who aren't familiar with our system, don't know how things are normally done," Haney said.
The manager of the Villa East Apartments has asked for Gamble's mug shot. She said she will print out flyers and post them around the building next week.
Gamble will be charged with felony fraud when she's arrested.
WSOC
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