HOUSTON – Finding a trustworthy business isn’t always simple. Just ask the more than 100 Harris County residents who say they paid thousands of dollars to A&L Sheds for storage buildings or tiny homes—only to receive nothing in return.
Now, the owner of that company, Amanda Sparks, is facing felony theft charges, and local authorities are warning others to stay alert.
A New Business, Familiar Red Flags
Months after complaints started piling up against A&L Sheds, another business—Crafted by Cesar—began advertising identical shed builds. That raised eyebrows.
After several consumer reports, Crafted by Cesar abruptly shut down operations in Texas. The company claimed it was unknowingly affiliated with a business under litigation—referring to A&L Sheds.
Sparks has been arrested in at least four counties and is accused of stealing up to $300,000 through unfulfilled contracts.
Victims say the red flags weren’t obvious. A&L Sheds appeared professional, with:
- A commercial building
- A properly registered LLC
- Valid permits
- Up-to-date tax filings
But behind the scenes, dozens of customers were compiling evidence—documenting payments, missed deadlines, and failed promises. Their persistence led to the charges now facing Sparks.
What Consumers Can Learn
Julia Marino, one of the victims, says she wishes she had taken more precautions:
“I should’ve asked for references, checked the Better Business Bureau, and gone with someone local. It all looked legit—but now I know better.”
She and others that paid for the shed builds have now turned their attention to helping people in other states that may have also paid for uncompleted builds, as the company not only advertised in Texas. They created victimsofanlshed@yahoo.com after being told by authorities that their extensive research and documentation helped largely with the investigation.
BBB: How to Avoid Business Scams
The Better Business Bureau offers these crucial tips to avoid falling victim to fraudulent businesses:
BBB’s Top Tips:
- Never pay in cash
- Don’t pay the full amount up front
- Work with businesses that are local and well-reviewed
- Request and verify customer references
- Keep detailed records of all transactions
- Don’t ignore your gut—red flags matter
Think You’ve Been Scammed?
The Harris County Attorney’s Office is encouraging anyone who believes they’ve been involved in a similar situation to speak up. You can report complaints to the “Stay Scam Free HC” tracker on their official website.
Report scams: Harris County Attorney’s Scam Tracker
