Ariana Rose, a 40-year-old woman who used impeccable references to gain the trust of homeowners, has been sentenced to five years in prison for a string of thefts and frauds totaling £67,000. Rose advertised her house-sitting services on the website TrustedHousesitters, presenting herself as a reliable caregiver for homes and pets while owners were on holiday.
Victims reported that Rose would steal a variety of items, including jewelry, designer shoes, and high-end kitchenware. In some cases, she replaced stolen jewelry with cheap replicas. Among the items taken were Jimmy Choo shoes, Le Creuset pots, and a World War II medal. In one instance, a homeowner discovered that a diamond bracelet and ring had been replaced with fakes, which were later traced to a jewelry shop delivery made shortly before Rose departed.
Beyond the house-sitting thefts, Rose also had a history of property fraud. She had accumulated significant rent arrears, in one case owing over £40,000 on a London flat, and had illegally sublet properties. These offenses occurred while she was awaiting trial for earlier frauds. Her lifestyle, as depicted on social media, included luxury items such as designer sunglasses, a Rolex watch, and a BMW, contrasting with her fraudulent activities.
Rose's criminal history dates back to at least 2008, when she was convicted of fraud while working at Barclays bank. In 2011, she received a 20-month sentence for property fraud in Manchester, where she posed as a landlord, took deposits from prospective tenants, and then disappeared. Between 2016 and 2018, she continued her fraudulent subletting schemes, becoming aggressive towards tenants who requested their deposits back. During this period, she also received Universal Credit and other income while failing to pay rent on properties she occupied.
Despite victims reporting her actions to the police and Action Fraud, an agency for reporting fraud and cybercrime, no action was taken for years, which one victim described as a civil matter. This lack of intervention allowed Rose to continue her activities. Property manager Caroline Evans initiated a private prosecution against Rose after encountering significant rent arrears and eviction proceedings. Evans' investigation led her to connect with earlier victims and bring charges.
In court, Judge Nicholas Rimmer described Rose's actions as displaying "callous cruelty" and having a "long lasting and invidious effect" on her victims. The judge sentenced her to five years imprisonment for seven counts of fraud and one count of perverting the course of justice, in addition to five counts of theft related to her house-sitting activities.
The case has raised concerns about the vetting processes of house-sitting agencies. TrustedHousesitters stated that Rose used fraudulent identities to bypass verification checks and that she was removed from the platform when her activity was detected, though she managed to rejoin. The company emphasized that such incidents are rare and that they cooperate with law enforcement when they occur.
There are also accusations that Rose scammed brides-to-be by taking payment for hair and makeup services and then failing to deliver. The extent of her fraudulent activities may still be unfolding, and the case highlights the potential risks for homeowners relying on strangers to care for their properties.