VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A reality television personality known as Betty Idol has been arrested and charged in connection with a real estate fraud scheme that allegedly defrauded a Volusia County couple out of nearly $200,000, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
‘Love & Hip Hop’ star Betty Idol Arrested in Connection with alleged $200K real estate scam in Florida
Salomes Jackson, 40 (also referred to in reports as Salome or Salomé Rengifo Jackson), who goes by the stage name Betty Idol, was taken into custody on Aug. 13, 2026, following a nearly year-long investigation. She is best known for her supporting role on season 5 of VH1’s Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and appearances on Cartel Crew. She has also been described as a fashion ambassador and recording artist.
Authorities say the scheme began when a couple who own a mobile home park in Orange City attempted to buy a vacant parcel of land next to their property on North Thorpe Avenue. On July 11, 2025, the victims made an initial $2,000 deposit and then wired the remaining balance—totaling approximately $196,786.65—to what they believed was a legitimate escrow account after responding to a “Land for Sale” sign and communicating with individuals posing as a realtor and an escrow officer from a well-known national company.
Investigators later determined the property was never actually for sale. The real owners confirmed they had not listed it, and documents used in the transaction—including a driver’s license—were fraudulent and allegedly generated with artificial intelligence. The escrow company told authorities it does not provide the closing services claimed and that the purported officer was not an employee; the firm has previously been aware of scammers using its name.
Sheriff’s office detectives described the incident as a coordinated real estate scam and money-laundering operation involving the fraudulent use of the property owners’ identities, an unauthorized “For Sale” sign, an unauthorized sale, and the dispersal of proceeds through multiple accounts, structured transfers, mobile transfers, and shell companies. Stolen identities were allegedly used in the process.
Jackson is accused of receiving $178,786.65 of the stolen funds and exercising direct control over accounts used to receive, transfer, withdraw, and launder the money. Investigators traced a deposit at a New York ATM on or around Oct. 4–6, 2025, and identified her through facial recognition software and her distinctive tattoos—a red heart below her eye and a neck tattoo.
She faces multiple felony charges, including money laundering involving a transaction of $100,000 or more, grand theft over $100,000, organized scheme to defraud, and use of another person’s identification without consent involving $50,000 or more. Her first court appearance was scheduled for Aug. 14, 2026, in Volusia County. Some reports indicate she remains in custody.
The investigation was initiated after the victims contacted authorities on Sept. 8, 2025, when they encountered difficulties reaching the purported realtor and escrow officer and learned the transaction was not legitimate.
Information in this report is based on details released by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Jackson is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
