Fairfax Cops "Sting" Suspect In Another Alleged Rent Scam Using Vacant Foreclosures, Craigslist Ads To Reel In Unwitting Renters

In Fairfax County, Virginia, WRC-TV Channel 4 reports:

• Detectives arrested a suspect in a series of rental home scams, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. Between July 13 and July 18, four prospective tenants reported that they were defrauded of money after singing [sic] contracts to rent homes. In each case, they found the rentals on Craigslist, contacted Richard Hiner, toured the homes and signed contracts that included payments, according to police. Later, they learned the homes were bank-owned and in foreclosure and Hiner had no affiliation with the properties.

• Detectives posed as prospective tenants and responded to an online ad, setting up a meeting with Hiner, 31, police said. Hiner was arrested Thursday night when police determined he was not connected with the property. Hiner is charged with four counts of grand larceny by false pretense and three counts of burglary.

For the story, see Suspect Charged In Rental Home Scams (Prospective Renters Defrauded Of Money In Virginia).

In story update, see Pregnant Woman Among Victims Of Rental Home Scam (Man Accused Of Offering Homes Under Foreclosure For Rent) (go here for video report).

In a related story on D.C.-area vacant home rent scams, see WTTG-TV Fox 5: Foreclosure Rental Scam Makes a Comeback.

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