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Jim Douglas reports

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DALLAS – Confusion has turned to anger along Cranfill Drive in South Oak Cliff.

"This man is just a crook,” said Tina Bray, a victim. “How can you take my money and three other peoples’ money for the same house?"

The sign outside 4843 Cranfill says the house is for sale. It’s a 1,700 square feet, single-story, brown and white house that has been recently renovated. County records list its appraised value at $71,460.

The problem is four families said they all recently paid thousands of dollars in deposits to James Archie, 32, to move into the same home.

“We asked him how much was he asking for the house?” said Sedrick Brooks of when he first saw the property he hoped to rent. “He said a $750 deposit. So, we gave him $750.”

WFAA-TV

The four families, who all gathered outside the house Thursday afternoon, had receipts totaling $8,700 in deposits paid to Archie to either lease or purchase the property.

Of that total, $6,000 came from a young Hispanic family too embarrassed to be identified. They said the money represents three months of their salary.

"He got my money,” Bray said. “If he got my money and he got their money, we all can't move in here together. We're not family. We don't even know each other."

County records show "Superior Investments Corp.” owns the house. That is the same name on Archie’s business card. But, finding him proved to be a challenge. The number on the "For Sale" sign has been disconnected. The telephone number on his business card is answered by a woman who said she has had quite a few calls for a man she doesn’t know.

Archie’s address is an apartment complex near the Cranfill Drive house.

A woman who answered the door at his apartment said the 32 year old moved out a month ago, but she said she would contact his mother on News 8's behalf.

Archie finally returned News 8's call from a blocked number. He refused to be interviewed but promised to refund the money. Archie said he took a deposit from each family in case the others backed out.

However, the families said they don't believe it and have filed reports with the Dallas police.