Mom, Son Arrested for Alleged Apartment Rental Scam

– Allison Goldsberry

Medford Police have arrested a mother and son who allegedly ripped off prospective renters by lying about an available apartment and collecting money.

Police caught wind of the scam in December after receiving four complaints. It was believed that the suspects, Dorothy Ignemi, 51, and Nicholas Matthews, 21, fled the state. Police received information that Ignemi and Matthews would be coming to South Boston on Thursday on a Greyhound bus. Detective Paul Mackowski and Detective William Haftner were there to greet them along with officers of the Transit Police Department. The suspects were taken into custody without incident, according to Medford Police Lieutenant Paul Covino.

Police say the pair posted a Craigslist ad to rent an apartment that did not belong to them and instead belonged to a friend who was letting them stay in his house. The Fountain Street home had a vacant in-law apartment in the basement. Ignemi and her son allegedly showed people the apartment and collected first and last month’s rent as well as security deposits and defrauded would-be renters of nearly $4,000.

According to police, the homeowner wasn’t aware of the scam and didn’t know what was going on until the first victim showed up with a moving truck. Ignemi and her son were gone by that time and told the homeowner they were leaving the state.

Both Ignemi and Matthews each face felony charges of four counts of larceny over $250 by false pretenses. They were arraigned in Somerville District Court.