Another Alleged Craigslist Rental Scammer Gets Stung; Victim Sees Ad For Same Chicago-Area House Listed Under Different Name, Phone Number Two Weeks After Being Screwed Out Of $3,600, Then Tips Off Cops For Successful Undercover Bust; Suspect Faces Felony Theft By Deception Charge

In Plainfield, Illinois, the Chicago Sun Times reports:

• A southwest suburban man was arrested for theft by deception after he posted an ad for a rental property in Plainfield that he didn’t own.
  
  Ayham Shamel Alhourani, 18, of the 11000 block of South Columbus Drive in Worth, was arrested for theft by deception, a class 2 felony, according to a statement from Plainfield Police.
  
  On Dec. 8, Alhourani met a man at the property located in the 14900 block of South Morgan Lane in Plainfield, which the man then agreed to rent. Later that day, the man met with Alhourani in Oak Lawn to sign a lease and pay him a $3,600 security deposit, according to the statement.
  
  Alhourani then gave the man a key, but when the man attempted to move in he found that the key did not work. The man then learned that the property was recently completed and that the builder had not closed on it, and that Alhourani was not the property owner, according to the statement.
  
  On Dec. 22, the man saw the same rental ad, which had a different name and number associated with it, and called the police, according to the statement.
  
  An undercover Plainfield detective spoke with the person who posted the ad and agreed to meet at the same rental property. Detectives saw Alhourani walking up to meet the undercover detective, and arrested him, according to the statement.
  
  Alhourani later spoke with police and “provided incriminating statements,” according to the statement.
  
  Plainfield police are still investigating this case.

Source: Man arrested for posting false Plainfield property rental ad.