Rent Scam Offering Cheap Rent On Craigslist Victimizes As Many As 50 Families

In unincorporated Covina, California, the Whittier Daily News reports:

• It could be any street in any city anywhere in Southern California. A swing set, two or three basketball hoops, white picket fences; a view of the foothills framed by tall palms. Stucco homes with stone trim, vegetable gardens, well tended roses, lawn statues; the stars and stripes proudly displayed as if to say, "Here is my piece of the American Dream." That's the scene looking north on Calera Avenue in unincorporated Covina. So when a three-bedroom, one-bathroom piece of the American Dream became available here for just $1,200 a month, who could blame folks for wanting it? Even if the offer came via Craigslist. All prospective tenants had to do was bring $2,400 - that's first and last - and be ready to move in May 1.

• Sheriff's detectives suspect as many as 30 families did just that. Now they are looking for homeowner Pardeep Singh, who apparently cleaned out his bank account and fled last week in a Range Rover towing a U-Haul.

For the rest of the story, see:

• Housing scam steals dream (no longer available online),
• Number of Craigslist victims increases (no longer available online),
• Picture of fraud suspect emerging (if link expires, try here),
• Dozens are expected to file lawsuit (if link expires, try here).

Go here and go here for other posts on tenant victims of rent hoaxes. unwitting tenant rent scam yacht