A former tenant of my Daddy pulled this same scam during the boom in Edmonton in 2005/2006. According to the police, it's been around a long, long time. Ask for proof of identity/ownership people.
Quote
Sandy Irving found an 1,800-square-foot apartment in Coal Harbour on the online classifieds site, Kijiji.
"Well, I thought, I've hit a good one here, because this is better than lots I've seen," Irving said.
She viewed the suite four times, but each time, the man claiming to be the landlord said he was too busy to go with her.
The pair met at a coffee shop to sign the rental agreement, and Irving made copies before giving him $6,000 in cash for the first month's rent and deposit.
But the condo was not actually for rent. It was for sale by an owner who lives in Korea. Pictures from the legitimate real estate listing were used for the fraudulent rental ad.
The listing agent says the fake owner tricked the building concierge into letting Irving into the suite by saying he was taking the suite off the market and renting it out instead. He arranged for the concierge to give a key to Irving.
Police say renters should get a passport copy, drivers licence or other ID from potential landlords before handing over any money.
"If at all you feel uncomfortable in a transaction when you're trying to rent a place, we suggest that you back out and you look at another place to rent," he said.
Police are examining surveillance video from the photocopy shop to try and locate the scam artist.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/woman-loses-6-000-in-vancouver-rental-scam-1.1367243
Quote from: "Shen Li"
Quote
Sandy Irving found an 1,800-square-foot apartment in Coal Harbour on the online classifieds site, Kijiji.
"Well, I thought, I've hit a good one here, because this is better than lots I've seen," Irving said.
She viewed the suite four times, but each time, the man claiming to be the landlord said he was too busy to go with her.
The pair met at a coffee shop to sign the rental agreement, and Irving made copies before giving him $6,000 in cash for the first month's rent and deposit.
But the condo was not actually for rent. It was for sale by an owner who lives in Korea. Pictures from the legitimate real estate listing were used for the fraudulent rental ad.
The listing agent says the fake owner tricked the building concierge into letting Irving into the suite by saying he was taking the suite off the market and renting it out instead. He arranged for the concierge to give a key to Irving.
Police say renters should get a passport copy, drivers licence or other ID from potential landlords before handing over any money.
"If at all you feel uncomfortable in a transaction when you're trying to rent a place, we suggest that you back out and you look at another place to rent," he said.
Police are examining surveillance video from the photocopy shop to try and locate the scam artist.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/woman-loses-6-000-in-vancouver-rental-scam-1.1367243
Oh that is terrible.
I feel so bad for the poor people who have been cheated.
:(
^^Renters renting for the sole purpose of re-renting it several times. Easy to do and always takers, especially in a hawt rental market.
Quote from: "Shen Li"
Quote
Sandy Irving found an 1,800-square-foot apartment in Coal Harbour on the online classifieds site, Kijiji.
"Well, I thought, I've hit a good one here, because this is better than lots I've seen," Irving said.
She viewed the suite four times, but each time, the man claiming to be the landlord said he was too busy to go with her.
The pair met at a coffee shop to sign the rental agreement, and Irving made copies before giving him $6,000 in cash for the first month's rent and deposit.
But the condo was not actually for rent. It was for sale by an owner who lives in Korea. Pictures from the legitimate real estate listing were used for the fraudulent rental ad.
The listing agent says the fake owner tricked the building concierge into letting Irving into the suite by saying he was taking the suite off the market and renting it out instead. He arranged for the concierge to give a key to Irving.
Police say renters should get a passport copy, drivers licence or other ID from potential landlords before handing over any money.
"If at all you feel uncomfortable in a transaction when you're trying to rent a place, we suggest that you back out and you look at another place to rent," he said.
Police are examining surveillance video from the photocopy shop to try and locate the scam artist.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/woman-loses-6-000-in-vancouver-rental-scam-1.1367243
Kijiji is where all the cons go looking for victims to fleece. A buddy of mine in Kelowna got ripped off buying scalper concert seats.
Quote from: "Shen Li"
Quote
Sandy Irving found an 1,800-square-foot apartment in Coal Harbour on the online classifieds site, Kijiji.
"Well, I thought, I've hit a good one here, because this is better than lots I've seen," Irving said.
She viewed the suite four times, but each time, the man claiming to be the landlord said he was too busy to go with her.
The pair met at a coffee shop to sign the rental agreement, and Irving made copies before giving him $6,000 in cash for the first month's rent and deposit.
But the condo was not actually for rent. It was for sale by an owner who lives in Korea. Pictures from the legitimate real estate listing were used for the fraudulent rental ad.
The listing agent says the fake owner tricked the building concierge into letting Irving into the suite by saying he was taking the suite off the market and renting it out instead. He arranged for the concierge to give a key to Irving.
Police say renters should get a passport copy, drivers licence or other ID from potential landlords before handing over any money.
"If at all you feel uncomfortable in a transaction when you're trying to rent a place, we suggest that you back out and you look at another place to rent," he said.
Police are examining surveillance video from the photocopy shop to try and locate the scam artist.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/woman-loses-6-000-in-vancouver-rental-scam-1.1367243
The owner is in Korea? Figures typical backstabbing, sneaky, spiteful, Korean and Chinese Canadiscammers ripping off Canadians.
Let's see. Scammer renter lives in Korea or China. Meets with potential renters daily in Vancouver coffee shop.
Neat trick. How does that work?
Gives new meaning to the term " frequent flyer".
Quote from: "cc li tarte"
Neat trick. How does that work?
Gives new meaning to the term " frequent flyer".
As I understand how the swindle works, it doesn't matter where the renter or the scammer live. Any renter can sublet their unit several times to trusting renters.
I was going by the literal OP - I suppose an "agent" could do the sales job for the actual renter no matter where the actual renter lived
Quote from: "cc li tarte"
We had a tenant pull this stunt in one of my daddy's units. The cop told my daddy this scam has been around a long time and becomes more common during boom cycles.