Memphis, Tenn. — Erica Norris, a woman accused of scamming tenants out of their rent payments, may have a lengthy history of fraudulent activities. One victim, Nakeama Cook, claims she tried warning police about Norris years ago.
WREG initially reported on Norris in January, revealing she was charged with theft of property. Cook recounted her own experience, stating that Norris had scammed her out of a tax refund in 2018. Cook described Norris as a family friend who even lived with her for a time.
At that time, Norris was employed at a tax company and promised Cook a tax loan to help her buy a car. However, when the loan arrived, it was only $3,500 instead of the promised $7,500, and instead of depositing it into Cook’s account, Norris gave her a gift card.
When Cook questioned the missing funds, Norris told her that the rest was “in her email” due to an amendment process—something Cook had never heard of.
Ultimately, Norris vanished, and Cook discovered through the IRS that the full $7,500 tax refund had been deposited into Norris’s account, from which Norris had taken half and given Cook the Green Dot card.
Frustrated by the police’s response, Cook reported that they told her to contact the IRS directly. However, the IRS informed her that she couldn’t reclaim her money until the police concluded their investigation.
“It’s been five years, and I still have not heard anything,” Cook lamented.
Cook was shocked to later discover numerous complaints about Norris on Facebook, with other victims sharing their experiences of being scammed.
Another victim, Tonya Clay, recounted sending Norris several payments as a down payment for an apartment at Lakes on Ridgeway, totaling over $1,200. Clay expressed regret for trusting Norris, as they had known each other since childhood.
The new manager at Lakes of Ridgeway confirmed hearing reports of people mistakenly sending rent payments to Norris, believing she was affiliated with the complex. Similarly, managers at a Cordova apartment complex received multiple inquiries from people who had sent deposits through Cash App, unaware that Norris had no ties to their organization.
Police documents reveal numerous reports against Norris for similar scams, including encouraging victims to send rental payments to her Cash App account.
Cook expressed frustration that if the Memphis Police Department had acted on her previous complaints, other victims might have been spared.
Authorities have indicated they are pursuing charges against Norris, who appeared in court on theft of property charges and is scheduled for another hearing on April 1.
Victims like Cook hope for justice, stating, “I’m hoping that they give her some type of time… to think about what she’s done and the families she has hurt.”