Real estate investing expert Tatiana Zagorovski has built a reputation as a respected voice in her field, but her journey hasn’t been without serious challenges. She came to the United States as a software engineer seeking a better life, and like many ambitious immigrants, she turned to real estate as a path to financial freedom. Yet even with her drive and vision, Zagorovski’s early career was nearly derailed after she encountered a scam that cost her a hefty six figures.
In 2022, Zagorovski met a woman named Lena Meadowcroft through a mastermind group. Meadowcroft presented herself as an experienced investor and suggested teaming up for a joint venture.
The plan was to buy, renovate, and resell a property. By February 2022, the two had entered into a partnership, with Zagorovski providing equity as part of the deal. Soon, though, the project shifted away from the original plan. “That was a huge mistake,” Zagorovski admitted.
How the “Opportunity” Unraveled
The partners first agreed to renovate and flip the property, but by April 2022, the strategy had changed, and they decided to run the home as a short-term rental with a plan to refinance later. This shift, however, wasn’t written into their updated agreement. That oversight left Zagorovski vulnerable.
According to Zagorovski, Meadowcroft began funneling rental income into her personal account while withholding important information, including property offers. By April 2023, the property was sold. Despite this, Meadowcroft never paid Zagorovski her share.
The unpaid amount, totaling more than $120,298.53 in documented investments, forced Zagorovski to turn to attorneys at Armstrong Teasdale. Legal demands went unanswered, and the mounting dispute grew more complicated as legal fees and interest continued to climb.
In August 2023, Zagorovski filed arbitration proceedings based on the original joint venture agreement. Even though Meadowcroft was granted multiple extensions, she failed to respond, and eventually her counsel withdrew for undisclosed reasons. On December 12, 2024, the arbitrator ruled in favor of Zagorovski. Unfortunately, Meadowcroft refused to comply, so Zagorovski still had to file a civil suit in Hillsborough County, Florida.
Using Her Experience to Protect Others
While the legal fight continues, Zagorovski has shifted her focus to warning other investors about the dangers of scams. She has written a book titled Predator in a Pastor Suit: Exposing Lena Meadowcroft’s Real Estate Scam. The book tells the story of how Meadowcroft lured her in and deceived her, but it also goes further. It highlights the common red flags and tactics that many con artists use in real estate schemes.
Zagorovski wants readers to see past the story of one scammer and recognize the larger lessons.
She explained, “Unfortunately, I overlooked a lot of red flags throughout the transaction. I dismissed my own intuition. I assumed this woman was in this group because she was legit and had been vetted. That was a huge mistake on my part. While I lost over six figures in this investment with Lena Meadowcroft, ultimately, I believe it made me a better investor because while costly, this experience taught me to trust my gut and always fully vet everyone I get involved with. You can’t blindly trust anyone, and that lesson was hammered home for me. Now I want to use my experience to help others avoid what I went through.”
Her upcoming book is designed not only as a warning but as a guide. She wants to make sure others can spot scams before it’s too late.
Lessons for Both New and Seasoned Investors
Even though her experience was painful, Zagorovski is not walking away from real estate.
Instead, she remains committed to the industry and still sees it as one of the best paths to financial freedom. But she now emphasizes the importance of awareness and caution.
In her book, she breaks down how Meadowcroft used authority and trust to gain influence, a pattern, she warns, that is common in many fraudulent deals. By sharing her story, she hopes other investors will learn to recognize when something feels wrong and act on those instincts to protect themselves.
It’s a reminder that even experienced and intelligent professionals can fall victim to scams if they ignore their gut. The power of persuasion, combined with a convincing story and a false sense of credibility, can often lure even careful and experienced investors into bad deals.
Looking Ahead
With the release of Predator in a Pastor Suit: Exposing Lena Meadowcroft’s Real Estate Scam scheduled for later this summer on Amazon, Zagorovski is turning her loss into an opportunity to educate others. Her decision to go public with such a personal and costly experience demonstrates her determination to make the real estate world safer for others.
The lessons she shares extend beyond real estate, they apply to anyone making financial commitments or trusting others with significant investments. Her story encourages readers to ask tough questions, insist on clear documentation, and never ignore warning signs.
For Zagorovski, the setback has become a mission. She hopes her painful and costly experience will save others from falling into the same trap. And in that sense, her message goes beyond one scam and one scammer, it’s a call for vigilance in an industry where the stakes are high and trust is often tested.
Predator in a Pastor Suit: Exposing Lena Meadowcroft’s Real Estate Scam will be available on Amazon later this summer.
