Local residents are once again learning a hard lesson about making deals off of ads from Craigslist. It turns out, they rented houses from an alleged scam artist.

40-year old William Slattery found several vacant homes in the Destin area. He allegedly broke into them, changed the locks, and rented them out while the real homeowners had no idea.

Charles Jandrew was one of the people duped by Slattery. Jandrew has been renting a foreclosed home on Quail Lake Boulevard in Destin. Slattery was acting as his landlord and operating under a company called 'SGI Services'.

"It seemed legit. He had all the answers and all the paperwork that showed he owned the place" said Jandrew.

The real homeowner had no clue someone was living in her house.

"Your heart sinks because he's got your security deposit, your pet deposit, your rent, and come to find out he doesn't own the place".

Jandrew wasn't the only one. Missy Singletary said she signed a counterfeit lease with Slattery for a home just a few houses away. Turns out, the real homeowner is actually dead.

"It felt really weird like, we're in somebody's home".

The list of properties Slattery allegedly rented goes on and on. Jandrew says he received a text message from Slattery before investigators arrested him. He quotes Slattery as saying "I never said you were stupid. That was the lease that was given to us. Like I said, I'm trying to do my job, I hope it's not true. It would be the second bad one I've had so far, not fun".

Singletary said she could be given a three day eviction notice at anytime. "I thought I was a good judge of character, but you really just ever know".

Authorities arrested Slattery late last month. He's free on $7,500 dollars bond for racketeering, and posing as an unlicensed real estate broker. Slattery has a criminal record which includes two instances of grand theft and misrepresentation.

Some of the tenants who have found out about this scam are trying to work out a legitimate lease agreement with the real homeowners. Sheriff's investigators say there may still be more victims out there. To report crimes related to this rental scam, you can call the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office at 609-2094.