The Common Detroit Scam No One Talks About

[@PwnerPwnz]

Commenting for engagement purposes. The guy presenting seemed like a genuinely caring and good person.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

We try to be

[@lynmariesalata5333]

He spent more to kick her out than rent her the house he was planning on renting and purposely did not call law enforcement because in Michigan what he did was illegal

[@lynmariesalata5333]

@sanborn I am reporting you to the City of Detroit as well as Sheriff Raphael Washington- prob shouldn’t say in the video you aren’t contacting LEOs because you know they would tell you that you could not take those actions.

[@bebdaumon3948]

@@lynmariesalata5333 Not true... You have to reside in the house for more than 30 days. You need to present proof. Most people show a fake lease agreement which is good enough but the lease has to show them living there past 30 days and they have to say they been in here for over a month. There's new laws being made to now allow landlords that they can quickly get them out. They can call the police make a report. The cops will ask the tenants for a lease agreement or other proof. They will make their report. You then file paperwork with the court for trespassing. You then use then provide the proof and provide the police report. The court gives them a month. They will have to get served. and will have to respond with their statement with provide proof. If they cannot provide any proof that they had legal rights to be there then the home owner will be allowed to evict them and they can call the police. I think the sheriff has to do to it and it becomes part of their record and you can charge criminals charges of trespassing.

[@bebdaumon3948]

@@lynmariesalata5333 It's not illegal unless they can prove they have a lease with them and made payments to them. Even if the cops show up they will check for this info. If they have a fake lease with the right company name or people that own the house then what you're saying would be true and they couldn't legally evict them or move their stuff out of the house. So, it depends on the situation.

[@judithrix-brown8790]

My family had the same issue. Best way to protect a vacant house is to install cameras inside and out with an alert on the phone. That way you can catch them in the act and get to the house before damage is done.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Good option!

[@Dadum-bass]

​@SanbornConstructionGroup tip for this. Get a prepaid cell phone and use that as a wifi-Hotspot for security cameras. Cheap cell with a battery backup only needs to be charged once a week or so

[@bebdaumon3948]

@@Dadum-bass there's wifi jammers online that can take them out easily. Also if the wire can be easily accessed by the ground they can cut the lines. Also you should have security glass to protect the camera lense. There's people using lazer pointers that will burn the photon diode which fries the camera.

[@ryzezee8543]

@@bebdaumon3948 get to the property when the cameras are broken 😄

[@jackf59735]

May you someday have nowhere to go, and find only locked doors in front of you. All landlords are bound for hell.

[@euniceloy7120]

Personally, the fact that she never came back to pick up her stuff, screams that nobody scammed her she broke in and was squatting. I have no doubt she's doing it in somebody else's home. It's easy to replace toys and furniture and clothing when you're not paying any rent.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

That’s a very good point. Eventually we thought the same thing. We bent over backwards to try and accommodate them.

[@Jalafian]

Maybe she didn't have anywhere to put it and couldn't afford a storage facility. Just like people that get evicted and their stuff just stays on the street. If you have nowhere to go even though you want your stuff you have nothing you can do with it and you just have to start over.

[@snakey319]

Yeah the scam wasnt on her but with her, there's a lot of vids where they try this to as long as they can.

[@overnight_doughnut_fryer]

I was wondering why she didn’t come back for her things …

[@ryzezee8543]

no, she had photographs and children to take care of. She wouldn't just drag her children around from house to house

[@lah-tee5412]

You seem like a genuinely nice guy. She was unfortunately the scammer it seems like. Such a shame that good people are put in positions like this. My kindness has been greatly diminished because I’m learning people just suck. Great video. Short, sweet and straightforward.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

I appreciate that! We came to that conclusion later as well

[@kevinmach730]

Yeah, it was beyond nice of them to give the woman the benefit of the doubt. But I was immediately questioning the idea that she was victim when you said someone had just been out there cutting the lawn a day ago and all was well. So the hone got listed in a day, lease signed, and already move in? Nah, she was trying to squat in your property, thank goodness you got that low life out of there,

[@davidmckinley5343]

She was either part of the scam or the scammer herself. Best move putting her stuff out.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

We ended up doing that

[@Chris-qo2jx]

I think she was definitely part of the scam. Why else wouldn’t she want her stuff back. Probably knew she’d get caught.

[@rwdplz1]

That wasn't a grieving mother, that was somebody in on it. She was upset she got caught.

[@ryzezee8543]

@@Chris-qo2jx no definitely, she's probably busy with work and taking care of her children

[@gabrielreisinger8047]

Squatter's rights is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Right for what? Tresspassing in another person's house, and you expect your crime to be defended? Seriously?

[@noahjohnson935]

Right to shelter. Not everyone is lucky enough to inherit wealth or work a job that can pay rent.

[@gabrielreisinger8047]

@noahjohnson935 still. This used to be called trespassing. And it was illegal because you're going into someone else's private property without permission. It's not okay.

[@noahjohnson935]

@@gabrielreisinger8047 While I agree with you on principle of people's property needing to be defended, it shows how bad our society has degraded now that people are reporting to this out of desperation. Can't buy a house, can't rent a house, can't camp somewhere nearby, and all the shelters are either full or inhumane. What can they do?

[@AuneBerg-w4t]

@@noahjohnson935 Youre not wrong. I wish our government would actually help its own citizens instead of shipping money abroad and bring in millions of illegals to displace them. If Illegals squat, there should not be a right to that.

[@TheTeslacoilz]

​@noahjohnson935 I agree people should have shelter. But I don't think this is the answer, people are making too much money off the homeless to actually solve the issue.

[@uo2230]

Generally its the person in the house that's scamming. They say they've been scammed by someone and legally moved in. They show fake agreements which they've faked and claim innocence. They're not innocent they're scammers.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

That’s where most people went with it

[@wise4124]

the lady was scammer why would you not coming get your stuff

[@LetsGoChaseThatTrain]

This is the biggest reason I exited the Detroit real estate market twenty years ago.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

It’s a lot different but still the same

[@JillianSiobhanMal]

Sad

[@mpsmemes]

Very high quality video, excited to see more from you. I myself don’t live in the USA and its genuinely mind boggling to me how one can break in a house so easily and be protected while doing so

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

I appreciate that. It’s definitely a weird situation in this state.

[@mtm272727]

Sad stuff. Another great video. These scams need to get more publicity so people watch their backs. My family and I rented a home a dozen years ago. when we went to move in it was being inspected and cleaned by the bank for foreclosure. Lucky timing because we were able to get our money back.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Thank you! And I completely agree, it’s very unfortunate. Trying to put the word out and do our part of making the public aware.

[@lesliemergenthal75]

Good video. You know that lady on the phone might be the scammer. She never came for her stuff. She thought she might get some pity from you and give her money or a chance to stay there. I guess we will never know. She acted like she really wanted her stuff.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

We ended up coming to a pretty similar conclusion ourselves

[@gailbug007]

The lady with her kids should have checked and verified that the person who was renting/the scammer to her was the actual owner! Good thing you guys caught it quickly! In today's world with all the scams she should checked into if she was getting scammed or not. You guys went out of the way to be nice to her so you can sleep well at night.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

I agree. I’m glad it didn’t go one for weeks before we knew

[@stephengreen3566]

There is a special kind of hell for scammers that do this. I hope they get no mercy.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Agreed!

[@AuneBerg-w4t]

wow im not surprised by the squatter, SHE is the scam. THEY know how this works, ive been squatted on.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Some definitely know what it is

[@fawn1785]

I grew up just north of Detroit. We would sleep with the windows and side door open. The screen door would be latched. Only to keep out squirrels and raccoons. Sad how times have changed.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

It’s definitely a different world now

[@AccountSpace]

Well north of Detroit is Warren and that is usually worse now than what Detroit is. Theres pockets of good areas.

[@fawn1785]

@@AccountSpace St. Clair Shores

[@maliklowry1236]

I am a real estate agent in Detroit area, and this was a big problem nack in 2010 when there was a lot of HUD homes for sale. The keys were universal so out of about 7 keys, one of them would work. We used to get dozens of calls into our office about this same scam

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

I have no doubt, unfortunately we still see it in rentals

[@illusiver]

the fact she didn't show up to get her stuff is very suspicious to me considering she sounded so worried about not being able to access it. kind of sounding like she just wanted the door unlocked and you just leave or she's gonna go for the big guns with a lawsuit saying you threw and her kids stuff outside.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

The state police on site told us to lock her out 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Quinnbot]

We had something similar happen a long time ago these people rented us a room in their house turned out the husband had been hired to put in the hvac by the owner they were homeless and he was trying to help them get a fresh start. They told us they had been given permission to rent the house by the owner while they did the work which was absolutely untrue and he showed up one day completely shocked and kicked us all out. We couldn’t believe it we had been giving them money for 2 months thank god he was kind about it and understood what they had done and gave us a couple days to find another place. People are awful we have long since gotten into a better position and will never have to go through something like that again but when your renting you really have to do your research glad y’all were able to get your property back without incident.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Man, it’s a crazy world out there

[@hubertvale5132]

Why do they keep using key lockboxes if they know this is a common scam?

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Gotta show houses somehow 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@DetroitRockin]

​@@SanbornConstructionGroupBut the person that shows the house can keep the keys right ?

[@chrissheppard3918]

because the owners don't care, they still get their money in the end and the people who get scammed oh well, can't inconvience a realator gotta keep making your money buying up homes and making the country unaffordable

[@empressmarie4027]

Yes ppl break in and act like it for rent. Then innocent person be scammed

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Exactly

[@ShoNuff26]

She was a scammer I am thinking she may have thought the cops was waiting for her if she get her stuff from you

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

That’s quite possible

[@FRANCISPOLLARD-r3p]

Another strong and independent single mother who can do it all. Where is the father?

[@angelamonroe7737]

She was a squatter if that was legit she would have came and picked up her stuff. People like this don't care and unfortunately they drag their kids along.

[@angelataylor3822]

That’s what happened to my ex mother in law’s house,I kicked that door in on the news to get them out they had made a meth lab in her basement.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

I believe it, squatting and drugs tend to go together

[@Noctuavida]

She was probably too embarrassed to return. Something like that happens it will shut you down emotionally.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Maybe 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@JillianSiobhanMal]

@@SanbornConstructionGroup Nah

[@DanCampbellKneecaps]

I feel like this is gonna be a big channel at some point

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

I hope so!

[@Sisweneedtotalk81]

This is why many insurance companies require landlords to board up empty houses when in between tenants, visit the property frequently or hire a property management company to watch the property if you live out of town.

[@TheBaconKing32]

Vary well-known scam in detroit i see it every week .

[@dayahbpetty9062]

They had no where to put their stuff.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Who knows 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@thisperson5294]

But there must have been bits and pieces they could have used, like clothes and toiletries..

[@detroit_bum5966]

trying to flip houses in the city seems like a waste of time, too many parasitic things. Plenty of opportunity in the burbs

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

We do both!

[@harlenegeier5219]

If the house is for rent like original planed, why not tell the lady that she got scammed but because you don't want to throw her & her kids out onto the street, setup a monthly plan for her to pay rent and charge her for damages in her monthly rent and make it reasonable, Then you no longer have a squatter but a tentant like you wanted and she get a place to live like she wanted.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

This one was actually for sale not rent

[@kevinmach730]

No credit or background check references, etc? Yeah, I don't think so. And it sure like she was the scammer- you want to help/get in bed with this person? Hell no.

[@Aaron-zu3xn]

you can't feel bad that lady was using her kids to play on your sympathy and get free housing they were gonna get in the door and never leave once they're in it becomes a civil matter

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

I try to remind myself that

[@Aaron-zu3xn]

@@SanbornConstructionGroup tenants have more rights than the owner somehow but you can also use this to your advantage. if you sign a rental agreement with anyone they can even be a police officer that person is now a tenant and can remove them any way they need to.

[@traxxmediagrouptraxx3234]

Going this right now just trying to sale at this point, tired of going to court and calling the police for them to do nothing

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Unfortunately the Detroit police are not known for being helpful

[@realestateagentrockstar-aa9859]

Never Squatters. Always breaking in.

[@MoldNoMoreLLC]

Great Video Guys….. I really like the way you guys are presenting in these videos, y’all are off to a great start. And the instagram reels are great too. Thank you for taking pride in our region, and showing the reality of our service area’s day to day, but still showing it all as a positive. #moldnomorecares

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Thank you! I appreciate your insight on this. I’m glad you’re liking it

[@dullahan8191]

If they were not concerned about their stuff was it going to be staged as if someone was living there to rent it out or land contract.

[@bobthekobb]

I'm for squatters rights for land but for peoples houses is too much .

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Say it again

[@pissedoffshitzu601]

Land is private property also. Squatters should not have rights regardless of if it is a house or land.

[@oSTYNCLSYo]

She was a squatter nothing more.

[@davidpushesaskateboard]

I can’t imagine the stress of owning and running my own business or property, but I can empathize with the struggle. I feel like this is one of those instances where you’re supposed to step out of your comfort zone and do more. You did everything someone is supposed to do, but not everything someone could do. She needs real help and is obviously trying but doesn’t have the knowledge, and people with experience and technical skills could change her life in a few hours. It’s pretty sad that not only are you still going to come out positive on the property but you turned her story into profit as well without a thought on how to improve her situation.

[@JillianSiobhanMal]

Wow. No. Did we watch the same video?

[@msbebelle07]

Poor kids, they are the ones suffering from all this nonsense.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Couldn’t agree more

[@anamericaninchina869]

Ongoing scams and dishonesty is one reason I left America. Just one property left in Seattle and have a person living there for minimal rent to avoid a squatter situation.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Seattle, I don’t blame you.

[@JoeKyser]

You have to move them out and then move in your temporary tenant. Someone who you can call to stay overnight in that place. An employee is the best.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

We don’t use house sitters

[@rwdplz1]

Detroit doesn't screw around with squatters like California either, they're OUT.

[@C0braChicken2]

Get Ring alarms, they are CHEAP, and only $10 per month with cellular connection, with NO contract... that's what I use on my flips

[@222jojo]

If a property sits unattended for a long period of time this is going to happen. You need cameras recording to the cloud, everywhere!

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

We were literally there the day before 😂

[@BartmanMi]

Best way to tegain a squatted home is knowing some guys with lead pipes who pay a visit late in the evening. That's at least how it was done in Amsterdam when I grew up there 😅

[@charlieave2315]

I feel so bad for her man

[@GdThngUrPretty]

Honestly, even if she was a scammer, i think you handled this the best you could have. Laws put behavior into logical boxes, but human life isnt logical. Emotions, prior upbringing, all kinds of stuff that makes life life, isnt logical. Every trial is one of those cases on the edge of a box. Like how sometimes its cold-blooded murder of an innocent, other times they had it coming. It's hard to know what's "right" to do, even with laws, if you're human. If she was real, you didn't hurt her any worse. Basically all you can do in that position, w your own constraints (money, time, following the laws you have to follow). It does suck for the kids tho. They deserve better than that. If they exist. Really sociopathic to scam a single mom tho. Again, if real. If not, sociopathic to use kids to guilt you into something. Dont have too much to add, just commenting for engagement since yall seem like decent people. Please keep making content but please let yourself unwind. I saw your vid about work-life balance. I get it, but you're only young once. Stuff gets way harder the older you get. I used to be able to sleep anywhere, now I need the right bed or my back hurts for days. Make sure you enjoy some of it, at least. Signed, Another Midwesterner from a failed city, who didnt take care of himself in favor of work for years, on his 36th birthday

[@penitent2401]

So if I want to rob a house just wait until residents leave for work or go out, knock on the door to check then break down the door or smash a window to get in. Then lay a sleeping bag on the floor of the living room, when they comes home claim it's your place now, when cops gets called claim squatters rights then it's now a civil matter not breaking and entering or trespassing. over the next few weeks empty out the house and sell off goods and furniture at your leisure and maybe rent out the place for cash for good measure before court order finally comes through to evict you in 6 months time.

[@mackhopper]

Man, this video was breaking my heart!!! But, it also made me an instant fan of yours…your business and your channel. I just visited Detroit for the first time this past May. I fell in love with it! So, today I stumbled upon one of your videos (“What a $1 Abandoned Detroit House Looks LikeI Inside”). I was intrigued and checked out the channel. Then I watched this video. I immediately appreciated yours and your team’s empathy toward this person and her family. You weren’t aggressive with her, but you still took care of your needs. You did this with incredibly sensitivity and diplomacy. With that said, have you ever considered setting up a Go Fund Me page for people to make donations to help these people who are getting scammed? There’s a special place in hell for who ever scammed a single mother with two kids. This is just damn despicable! Meanwhile, I look forward to seeing more of your videos!

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Thank you, I appreciate the kind words. They’re few and far between on the internet! But yes, we connect them with a local property manager who helps them get help through private programs etc to get them moved into something legit. More to come!

[@mackhopper]

@@SanbornConstructionGroup Looking forward to seeing more!

[@tristencossin2302]

If this woman was the scammer she she deserves it. If she was scammed I feel really bad for her and mostly the kids she probably saved up to get her and her kids a home only to find out that she lost a place to stay and your money and the woman and her kids are now homeless sad either way you look at it

[@doublehappiness9889]

Can you at least get yourself a hands-free set if you must use your phone while driving? I don't know about the US, but in the UK, using your phone while driving like that is an offence, and for good reason.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

I have Bluetooth on my truck but I prefer speaker phone. You’re absolutely correct though

[@tabbott429]

If they didjnt get their stuff that seems like a huge red flag. they were probably the scammers themselves and didnt want to get caught or show their face at the meetup.

[@lindaroyal8161]

That's such a shame. I feel so bad for the lady and her kids. She was probably thinking she was moving up, getting a place for them to live, providing a good home environment. It's so unfortunate that scum scammers can do this to folks just trying to do better for themselves and their kids. Hopefully she had family & friends to help her out. Probably took her entire income tax return money. Horrible. I'm in Florida - which recently approved a squatters law to get unlawful folks out properties without all the court red tape. It's a shame we've come to this.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

It really is sad. Being a blue state, the police do nothing about it. I wish we could cut our states red tape.

[@radonsmith4386]

2:30 wait what - people leave the keys to the house in a fragile lockbox right next to it? Seriously?

[@jmksuburban]

i remember finding out about this scam years ago when i would do cleanouts/board ups on homes in Detroit. we had to kick a family out because this happened to them. they just gave a guy $2000 the previous week to move in. we let them take a couple weeks to find a new place to live.

[@Cre8tive81]

I think she is the scammer.. no squatters can just say that they paid someone and it’s their right to stay. 🤷

[@glengarbera7367]

If you're ever renting or buying something online, take a few pictures or a video of the person you're dealing with. Even better ask to see the id and ownership of their car.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Good advice!

[@bobbytheblade2550]

You should have put the stuff out on the curb - period! You tried and failed with "Mr Nice Guy".

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Eventually we did

[@metafeedburner]

First months free in storage

[@gabrielreisinger8047]

I plan to move to Detroit one day, so what do you think is the best way to avoid this scam?

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Link up with a trusted and vetted realtor or property manager

[@cameronrussell8409]

The best way is not to move to Detroit.

[@JoeJoe-tg3ed]

Do not take his advice. You will find yourself in trouble

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

No trouble yet 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Desertdreamer24]

6:54 I haven’t finished the video yet. But damn couldn’t yall have given her a couple days?! 😢😢

[@MrDanielmahaniel]

I just saw a video from a police channel that showed a guy faking a scam rental. He was just squatting and was trying to make it look like he got scammed and they figured it out, can’t remember the details but clever, in theory at least. Either way, the result is pretty much the same so you may as well go full squat at that point lol

[@MrDanielmahaniel]

Tough stuff though, having conversations like this with people is very difficult, sucks it went down like that. I work in finance and scams are getting out of control, all it takes is a dummy with a smartphone and they can cause some serious damage.

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Exactly. Someone with internet can do almost anything now a days

[@mrvankuren]

You can only do so much

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

We’ll always be the ones who try

[@TheRoyalautogroup]

Detroit rentals is Like renting mud huts in Africa Imagine having to do that in whiteyville🤔 If they can’t fuck it drink it or smoke it ,they’ll destroy it 👍

[@ZachAbram-ey8pm]

duuuudddeee never take someone else's script you have absolutely no idea if its actually that script or some other drug

[@jeanniehaftar9249]

That’s crazy great video

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Thank you, I appreciate that! We’re trying to provide good content

[@celestialtl]

I likes to take a huge dump when I squat!

[@HighPowerOptionsTrades]

Great content 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Thank you!

[@lynmariesalata5333]

But had you contacted the police they would have had you evict them. I hope they sue the shit out of you

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

The ignorant are so loud. 🙄 The state police were called and on site and advised us to lock them out and not allow them back. Sounds like you really know what you’re talking about.

[@911___________DIVOC]

Surely the childrens' fatherwill help.

[@lynmariesalata5333]

Gotta love the power of X and sharing prima facia evidence with the DPD.

[@MrsDetroit622]

Fight gentrification any way you can.

[@lynmariesalata5333]

The kids - you care so much

[@jordan_gottem7916]

This is cool

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@keithconti6057]

its seemms it just stupidity.. you buy a house no deed, no bank, no real contract? mmm seems dumb people will do that

[@davidcaudill7779]

There's no way I would ever recommend your business based upon this video you finally kick those people out of that house for no good reason after they got scammed y'all literally could have tried to work something out with them hey I don't know hey you got scammed you know what we're going to rent in this house out to you obviously you have money 💰😊 forgive them a couple weeks to actually find a place

[@SanbornConstructionGroup]

It’s too bad you jump to conclusions before knowing the whole story 🤷🏻‍♂️ but I don’t need your recommendations lol

[@davidcaudill7779]

​@@SanbornConstructionGroup I used to do this for years ago you know I never once went to own my my own roofing company but I can tell you right now they don't know what they're talking about first off if you just simply do a patchwork the only thing you're doing is kicking down the road something that's already going to happen set an alarm for 5:30 and at the most you're delaying it for two or three years eventually the roof is going to have to come off it's going to have to be redone shingles get old they get worn out it's a fact

[@mky9227]

If ya want more views n subscribers cool it with the f bombs