Real Estate Scam Uses Craigslist To Lure Victims

July 22, 2009 by John Brown
Filed under News

The FBI is warning homeowners and/or prospective renters to be cautious of a new scheme being perpetrated by fraudsters utilizing Craigslist. The scheme involves taking listings from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) or other listing sites, and then posting the information onto Craigslist under available housing rentals, without the consent or knowledge of the owner or Realtor.

FBI Director Robert Mueller

Prospective renters who contact the Craigslist poster, according to David A. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Columbia office of the FBI in South Carolina speak with an “agent” that advises that the owners had to leave the country very quickly to do missionary or contract work in Africa and were unable to rent their house before leaving, requiring that formalities be performed remotely. The prospective renter is then sent an application requiring first and last month’s rent sent to the con artist via Western Union. The prospective renter is further told If they “qualify,” they will send them the keys for their house. Once the money is wired to the thieves, the prospective renter shows up at the house, see the home is actually for sale, are unable to access the property, and their money is gone.

According to Special Agent in Charge David A. Thomas, this type of scam is becoming more prevalent nationwide, with recent reports indicate this scam being perpetrated locally in Charleston, Columbia, and Hilton Head, South Carolina. The South Carolina Association of REALTORS® provided information to the FBI on this scam.

The FBI, is requesting that individuals who have complaints similar to this file an Internet crime complaint on www.ic3.gov with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to ensure the extent of this scheme can be accurately evaluated.

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