MILWAUKEE — A woman from Milwaukee is facing multiple felony charges after prosecutors allege she orchestrated a rental scam that targeted families desperately searching for a place to live, convincing victims to hand over thousands of dollars for a home they never legally controlled.
29-year-old Yasmin Hameed is charged with felony theft by fraud, forgery, and multiple counts of bail jumping in connection with an alleged scheme involving a home near N. 69th Street and W. Melvina Street.
According to the criminal complaint obtained by 620 WTMJ, prosecutors allege the rental scheme operated between March 27 and May 2, 2026, where Hameed used online rental listings to lure prospective tenants into paying deposits for a single-family home they believed was available.
Investigators spoke with several victims including Milwaukee mothers Jataun Morgan and Sierra Winters came forward publicly, sharing nearly identical stories of losing their savings while trying to secure housing for their families.
A house that looked legitimate
Morgan said her search began on March 27, when she applied through Zillow for a three-bedroom home on Milwaukee’s northwest side.
Within about an hour, she received a message from someone identifying himself as “Quincy Jones,” claiming she had been approved. She was then directed to contact a woman identifying herself as “Tasha Jones,” who said she would personally show the property. “Tasha” was later identified as Yasmin Hameed.
When Morgan arrived, she said nothing immediately raised suspicion: the home looked lived in; furniture filled the living room; the children’s bedrooms remained set up; boxes suggested someone was preparing to move.
“Tasha” explained that the current tenant would soon be moving, and Morgan could move in afterward.
Morgan toured the house more than once. She received receipts. She reviewed a lease agreement. She said the couple appeared compassionate after learning about her personal circumstances, and assured her they wanted to help.
Believing everything was legitimate, Morgan purchased three money orders totaling $2,800 and turned them over.
According to the criminal complaint, investigators allege Morgan provided those money orders after being told she had secured the rental. Soon afterward, Morgan was contacted again, and told the owners no longer accepted money orders and preferred cash instead.
That request raised Morgan’s suspicions.
The investigation begins
Morgan began researching the property herself. She contacted the City of Milwaukee and eventually learned the home was not owned by the people claiming to rent it.
Instead, investigators later confirmed the property was owned by VB One LLC and managed by Evergreen Live.
Morgan contacted police and arranged another meeting with the people she believed had taken her money.
The criminal complaint showed that Morgan reported seeing the man identifying himself as “Quincy Jones” display a handgun before leaving the area.
She tracked money orders, collected receipts, emails, screenshots and photographs, searched public records, and shared information with investigators as she tried to identify the people involved.
Another mother falls into the same trap
Just days later, another Milwaukee mother Sierra Winters unknowingly walked into what prosecutors now allege was the same scheme.
Winters also found the property listed online, toured the same house, and met the same woman identifying herself as “Tasha Jones.”
She was also told she had been approved, and paid $1,400 toward the rental. Winters later met a woman identifying herself as “Monica B” to receive what she believed were the keys to her new home, that were presented inside a small gift bag.
Court documents showed that Winters later paid an additional $750 before moving into the residence.
For less than 24 hours, Winters believed she finally had a home. She FaceTimed family members, she thanked God, she believed one of the most stressful chapters of her life had finally come to an end.
The next day, after returning home from work, the locks had been changed, and the keys no longer worked.
Winters repeatedly called and texted but never received another response.
Multiple victims, similar stories
The criminal complaint shows investigators eventually identified additional victims who described nearly identical experiences involving the same property.
According to prosecutors, victims were instructed to:
- Apply through Zillow.
- Tour the same home.
- Communicate with people identifying themselves as “Quincy Jones” and “Tasha Jones.”
- Provide identification and proof of income.
- Pay deposits.
- Receive receipts or incomplete lease paperwork.
- Never legally obtain possession of the property.
Investigators allege four separate victim groups lost money during the scheme.
Building the case
Long before criminal charges were filed, Morgan and Winters spent weeks gathering evidence.
They compared text messages, tracked money orders, collected surveillance photographs, matched identities, and identified people they believed were involved. They even encouraged additional victims to come forward.
Morgan later visited the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office for an update on the investigation.
During that visit, Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Krueger told Morgan the case remained under investigation, and that additional evidence from Milwaukee police would be reviewed before charging decisions were made.
As the investigation continued, Morgan stayed in contact with investigators, continuing to provide information she uncovered. She later received a letter from a Milwaukee police officer thanking her for assisting in the investigation.
Suspect now in custody
Court records show Yasmin Hameed was arrested on July 16, and faces felony theft-false representation greater than $2500-$5000, four counts of bail jumping, and forgery. She’s also charged with three counts of misdemeanor theft-false representation less than or equal to $2500.
Prosecutors also allege the offenses occurred while Hameed was already out on bond in two separate felony cases, which includes armed robbery and financial fraud.
Hameed made her initial appearance in court on July 16, and pled not guilty to all the misdemeanor charges. Cash bond was set at $15,000, and she’s due back in court for a preliminary hearing on August 6.
The investigation continues
For Morgan, learning Hameed has been arrested and charged was an emotional moment after months of gathering evidence.
“It makes me feel a little bit better and secure, like I’m being heard,” Morgan said. “She’s not convicted yet, but seeing the charges makes me feel like we’re getting a little further.”
Morgan described the investigation as exhausting. “It was very stressful. Very, very stressful.”
Both moms joined WTMJ’s Tory Lowe while he still hosted a radio show on 101.7 the Truth about the situation.
Despite losing $2,800, Morgan said she continued gathering documents, tracking money orders, and providing information to investigators because she believed other families could still be victimized.
“I had to put a lot of faith in myself and stay level-headed. I knew I had to get justice for myself and the others. Now that she’s charged, hopefully she’s convicted and it can come to an end.”
