Instagram hair scam frustrates 7th Ward homeowner, victims | Crime/Police – NOLA.com

Jonathan Jacques drove his friend to a 7th Ward business Wednesday morning so she could participate in a timely tradition: getting her hair done before the holidays. The business’s Instagram page, touchedbyniahk, displayed hundreds of pictures of glossy, neat feeder braids, knotless braids, extended ponytails and other hairstyles, so his friend sent a $30 deposit and arrived about 15 minutes early for her appointment.There was no answer at the business door on North Roman Street, Jacques said. Instead of a logo, a handwritten paper sign taped by the doorbell read, “Nobody here does braids. This is a private residence! Please, do not ring the bell to ask about braids or braces. This is a long-running scam. If this person scammed you, please report their Instagram for harassment and their Cash App for fraud.”The homeowner, who asked not to be named because she does not want the scammer to learn her identity, said that close to 200 victims of the braid bandit have showed up at her door since she moved into the house in January. Each tells the same story — they’ve sent a $25 to $75 deposit for services that will never be rendered. “It’s really crazy. It’s literally every day,”
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