HOUSTON – A woman who has been driving around Houston claiming she needs money to flee a domestic violence situation has been charged with aggregate theft by deception after investigators say she stole more than $3,000.
Joanna Jonae Knight, 40, is currently wanted after the alleged scheme lasted for more than two years. Court records show she lives in Cleveland, Texas.
At least 12 victims have come forward to Houston police, claiming they were approached by Knight in a vehicle with children asking for money to get into a domestic violence shelter. The victims would be approached in various parking lots or public streets.
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After agreeing to help, Knight would allegedly instruct the victims to call one of two local phone numbers and the person on the line would instruct the victims to give Knight and the children cash to then have a police escort to a hotel for safety.
Last month, KPRC 2 News spoke with Beth Anders who said it happened to her and she lost $200 in what she felt was a rushed ordeal.
“All of a sudden, I got real smart. This was a scam,” Anders said. “It just hit me like a ton of bricks, and then I felt really stupid, because usually I’m so astute about financial things.”
Anders was under the impression the money would be to help Knight get into The Women’s Home, but the CEO told KPRC 2 News they do not operate a domestic violence shelter.
“I hate for people who have goodness in their hearts to get scammed by this individual,” CEO Anna Coffey said. “The best way to give money is directly to the agency. If you give it to the person, you never know if it’s really going to be used for the purpose that they’re saying it should be used for.”
After the story aired, court records indicate more victims came forward and realized they had been taken advantage of as well.
The first report that police received dates back to March of 2023.
Records do not indicate who else may be involved in the scheme.
Any information on Knight’s whereabouts should be reported to the Houston Police Department’s Major Offenders Division or Crime Stoppers.
