Richmond police are warning the public about ongoing rental deposit scams.
RCMP officers have been investigated five reports of these scams since July, whereby individuals have lost between $400 and $2,600.
In most cases, victims found an online advertisement on a social media platform, contacted the supposed owner and were asked to pay a deposit to secure the property through e-transfer.
After the money was transferred, the victim would find that the property was not available for rent.
“We realize the rental market is highly competitive, especially around this time of year,” said Cpl. Denise Kam with the Richmond RCMP Economic Crime Unit.
“Scammers often prey on people’s emotions to create a sense of urgency. The public is reminded to exercise caution and verify ownership before paying damage or rental deposits.”
Richmond RCMP is suggesting tips to renters, including:
- Verify the listing on multiple platforms. Scammers often copy real advertisements from different platforms.
- Conduct a reverse image search to identify potential images that have been reused.
- Confirm ownership or management.
- Never send money before physically viewing a property.
Anyone suspected of being a victim of fraud should report it immediately to the police in their city.
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