Introduction

Scammers are targeting clients looking to get their hair braided by using real stylists’ work and creating fake social media pages.

Reports of Scams

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is receiving reports of scams targeting individuals wanting braids. Scammers take pictures from legitimate stylists and post them on fake social media pages.

Modus Operandi

Potential clients find the fake pages and book appointments, often making small deposits. Clients realize they have been scammed when they do not hear back from the supposed stylist on the appointment day.

Impact on Legitimate Businesses

Real stylists like Porsche Hensley, who has been braiding hair for over 10 years and owns Divine Innovation 615 in Nashville, are affected. Hensley reported instances where clients arrived for appointments, only to find out they were scammed.

Precautions to Avoid Scams

BBB advises not to pay for the service in full before the appointment. Visit the stylist’s location before booking. Verify the stylist’s work by searching for them online and including the word “scam” after their name. Ask for the stylist’s license number and verify it.

Continuing the Business

Despite the scams, stylists like Porsche Hensley remain undeterred and continue their work.

Conclusion

Scammers exploiting the popularity of hair braiding are causing issues for both clients and legitimate stylists. Clients are advised to take precautions to ensure they are booking authentic services.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovRNa1msWYU

Friday, May 16, 2025

Man Cuts Woman’s Heart out, Cooked it, Charged in Triple Murder

Share

A man who pleaded guilty to murdering three people has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The crime happened in Oklahoma in 2021.

Lawrence Paul Anderson had been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, and one count each of assault and battery with a deadly weapon, and maiming.

District Attorney Jason Hicks spoke out about the case, saying,
There’s evidence in possession of my office as well as the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation that’s so shocking, after I reviewed it, it kept me up at night for weeks.

Tom Ferguson reported on the plea deal and victim impact statements made before sentencing, March 15, 2023. (KOKH)

The three people who Anderson killed were neighbor Andrea Blankenship, 41; his uncle, Leon Pye, 67; and his uncle’s granddaughter, Kaeos Yates, 4.

Authorities said Anderson first killed Blankenship, cut her heart out, and brought it to his aunt and uncle’s house.

Then, they said, he cooked the heart with a side of potatoes before trying to serve it to them.

After that, he killed Pye and Yates, and severely injured his aunt.

Anderson was actually given five life sentences to be served consecutively.

Basically, what that means is that he is never going to get out of prison,” Hicks said. “The intent of that agreement is to ensure he never steps outside of the prison. Not only that, but to ensure that nobody can ever modify these sentences. That was something that was extremely important to not only my office, but also to the family members of the victims in this case.
Prosecutors said they didn’t seek the death penalty because a trial would further harm the family.

I don’t think I can find another case that’s going to quite compare to this one,” the district attorney said.
Anderson had been released from prison less than a month before the attacks. Gov. Kevin Stitt commuted his 20-year sentence for drug-related crimes after a recommendation from the state Pardon and Parole Board.

Later, a grand jury investigation found he was wrongly placed on the commutation docket after the board rejected his request. source

Read more

Local News