PALATKA, Fla. -- While many homeowners are having trouble selling their homes, a 35-year-old Putnam County woman was arrested on Monday, accused of taking money from potential buyers of two homes that she did not own and had no legal right to sell.

Monique Watts, also known as Monique Gallimore and Monique Parker, was under investigation for real estate fraud when a second potential homeowner reported that Watts took a down payment on another house she did not own.

Palatka detectives began the investigation Sept. 23 when a Palatka women reported that the home she thought she was renting to own was sold to her by a person who didn't own it.

Suzette Cormincan told investigators that she gave a woman she knew as Monique Watts $800 toward the rental/purchase of a home on Kane Road in East Palatka. After several attempts to take possession of the home, Cormincan became suspicious and learned that Watts did not own the house.

"It's an in-depth scheme. She put a lot of work into it. She went online and got tax deed sales and found these properties that were vacant and nobody really cared about," Putnam County Detective David Sanders.

Sanders was in the process of obtaining a warrant for Watts Monday when she became a suspect in a similar case.

Steven and Dina Sullivan told Putnam County sheriff's deputies that they had made a $502 down payment on a house located on South Palm Avenue in Palatka to a woman they knew as Monique Watts.

The couple said they became suspicious when Watts' story didn't add up.

The Sullivans told investigators that they made the payment on Aug. 4, but just learned that Watts did not own the property. The house was actually owned by HUD and was sold to another buyer.

"I was looking to get my wife and my family the security of a home like my dad gave my mom and us boys," said Steven Sullivan.

"Post her picture everywhere. Stay away from this woman. She is dangerous. She will take you for a ride," said Dina Sullivan.

Deputies found Watts at a home on Harbor Farms Road north of Palatka on Monday and placed her under arrest.

Watts, who lives in East Palatka, was charged with two counts of scheme to defraud under $20,000 -- each a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison. She was also charged with three counts of violation of probation on a previous fraud arrest in Putnam County.

Deputies said they are investigating whether Watts was involved in a third fraudulent real estate transaction and other charges were pending.