FBI issues alert, phony online rental ads

Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Gailann Jarocki
Examiner.com

The FBI has issued a consumer alert on rental homes listed in the Craigslist classified ads at unbelievably low rates.

The scam is simply and effective. The scammer searches for homes listed for sale in local papers, takes the listing information and places an ad on Craiglist (without Craigslist consent or knowledge) under housing rentals, listing it at below-market rental rates. The victim contacts “the so-called homeowner” via e-mail, an e-mail is sent back to the victim telling them “the so-called homeowner” must leave to go overseas on missionary or contract work in Africa.

The victim is also told to send the money, usually two months rent, through a wire transfer service. When the victim arrives at the so-called rental property they find out that the house is not for rent and the real owner knows nothing about any agreement.

At times, the victim is also asked to fill out a credit application that ask for personal information so the criminal can commit ID fraud and steal more from the victim.

This scam is usually done by Nigerian criminals and has been proven to be profitable for them and costly to the victims.

According to the FBI this rental scam has becomed so prevalent in South Carolina that warnings have been issued to homeowners and prospective renters. The scam has also snared victims in Illinois, Rhode Island, Colorado and California.

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