Squatter Posed as Financial Advisor in $2.3M Mansion, Lived on Food Stamps

Tameika Goode allegedly ran an online scam while squatting in a luxury home and sending her daughter to work instead of school.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A Maryland woman named Tameika Goode, 40, allegedly posed online as a financial advisor and bankruptcy expert, charging $800 for courses, while actually living as a squatter in a $2.3 million mansion and subsisting on $946 in monthly income from food stamps and child support. Goode's 16-year-old daughter was reportedly sent to work at a nearby bakery instead of attending school.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing issue of housing insecurity and fraud, as well as the potential exploitation of minors, as some individuals resort to elaborate schemes to gain access to homes and avoid paying rent or mortgage. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of authorities in addressing such situations and protecting vulnerable residents.

The details

Goode presented herself online as a financial advisor, sharing social media posts of her Porsche, but in reality was living off $538 in child support and $408 in food stamps while squatting in the 7,500 sq ft mansion in Bethesda, Maryland. Neighbor Ian Chen, a pre-law student, became suspicious and uncovered evidence that Goode was a bankrupt layabout who sent her school-age daughter to work at a nearby bakery instead of attending school.

  • In the summer of 2025, Goode moved into the mansion after the previous owners faced foreclosure and the bank took possession of the home.
  • In early December, Goode's jailbird husband, Corey Pollard, briefly lived with her in the mansion before being rearrested.
  • Goode was convicted of breaking and entering and trespassing in late January 2026 and sentenced to 90 days in jail, but was released after just two weeks.
  • On February 2, 2026, Goode moved back into the mansion after her release from jail.
  • On February 10, 2026, neighbor Ian Chen called police when he saw Goode outside the house moving items into a U-Haul truck, and she was rearrested.

The players

Tameika Goode

A 40-year-old Maryland woman who posed online as a financial advisor and bankruptcy expert, but was actually a squatter living off food stamps and child support in a $2.3 million mansion.

Ian Chen

A 19-year-old pre-law student at William & Mary College who became suspicious of Goode's activities and set up cameras to film her living in the mansion, eventually reporting the situation to authorities.

Corey Pollard

Goode's jailbird husband who briefly lived with her in the mansion before being rearrested for allegedly stealing vehicles from a Pennsylvania dealership.

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What they’re saying

“She is a shyster. She built this presence online, showing off the house, teaching people how to do bankruptcy stuff, and charging $800 to do your bankruptcy paperwork, and she herself doesn't know how she is doing, and the courts are trying to hold her in contempt.”

— Ian Chen, Neighbor (Daily Mail)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on March 30 whether to allow Goode to remain free on bond or order her to be held in custody pending further legal proceedings.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing problem of housing insecurity and fraud, as well as the potential exploitation of minors, as some individuals resort to elaborate schemes to gain access to homes and avoid paying rent or mortgage. It raises questions about the effectiveness of authorities in addressing such situations and protecting vulnerable residents.