Woman arrested in Huntington Beach in scam of Girl Scouts

An Anaheim woman was arrested in Huntington Beach on suspicion of theft by false pretenses after Hesperia Girl Scouts reported a loss of $1,050, authorities said Friday.

Huntington Beach police said Karina Martinez, 33, was seen on video surveillance inside a bank withdrawing money that they say was sent by the Girl Scouts of Hesperia in response to a false Craigslist ad listing a house for rent in the oceanside city in February.

The troop leader had inquired about the vacation rental for their end-of-the-year party as a reward for the Girl Scouts’ hard work, said police spokeswoman Jennifer Marlatt.

The troop leader began a correspondence with Martinez, Marlatt said, asking to see the rental house before putting a deposit on it. She was told the house was currently occupied by other renters but would be available the day she and her troop came in, according to Marlatt.

The leader wired payment from the troop’s account to Martinez at the end of March, a total of $1,050, Marlatt said, adding that after the payment, Martinez stopped all contact with the troop.

The troop leader originally reported the theft in May to the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office.

Martinez was arrested and taken to Orange County Jail, where she posted bail.