Cops Nab Two Suspects In "Phony Landlord" Rent Scam Using Vacant Foreclosures, Craigslist Ads To Pocket Cash From Unwitting Tenants

In Carlsbad, California, the San Diego Union Tribune reports:

• Police unraveled an elaborate scheme Friday involving two men who allegedly posed as landlords and then collected up to thousands of dollars in payments from unsuspecting renters, authorities said. According to police, the men entered at least two vacant Carlsbad homes that were in foreclosure and then listed them for rent on the Web site Craigslist.

• They collected possibly thousands of dollars in security deposits and rent from several people, according to paperwork that officers found on the men.

For more on how the scam fell apart, see 2 men arrested in scam with foreclosed homes.

See also, Police arrest two in connection with Internet rental scam.

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More On "Fake Landlord" Scams

The following links are to some recent stories on the "phony landlord" scam, in which a scam artist comandeers a vacant home - often a foreclosure (changes the locks, turns on utilities, gets rid of "for sale signs", etc.), advertises it for rent (ie. Craigslist, newspaper, etc.), and reels in an unwitting tenant, pocketing as much in upfront rent and security deposits as possible before taking off for parts unknown:

• Scammers using foreclosures to take advantage of would-be renters,
• Fake landlords rent vacant Cleveland houses, then vanish,
• Foreclosure Rental Scam Strikes Bay Area (video only).

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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.

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Rent Scam Claims Another Victim As Tenant Loses $3K To Phony Landlord

In Thousand Oaks, California, the Ventura County Star reports:

• Christina squirreled away what little money she had for months to be able to move from the valley to Thousand Oaks and reconnect with her only son. Last week, she paid $3,000 cash for a deposit, signed a lease and got the keys to a quaint, three-bedroom house. "This was our chance at a new, better life," she said. But her dream was quickly smashed when sheriff's deputies showed up Sunday and relayed crushing news: The woman she'd paid didn't own the house. Christina had been duped by a scam artist. [...] Strapped for cash, Christina, who is disabled and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, and her husband are now staying at a Thousand Oaks hotel. "Now I am homeless and trying to figure out what to do," said Christina, who asked that her last name not be printed because her son attends a local middle school and she feared he would be teased for their situation.

For more, see Renter in T.O. is victim of fraud (Real estate scams rising in county).

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Another Rent Scam Advertised On Craigslist Victimizes Arizona Family Of Nine Out Of $1,500

In Peoria, Arizona, KTVK-TV Channel 3 reports:

• A family of nine thought they had found the perfect home, moved in and started to make improvements when they found out they had been ripped off. [...] The Reeves found the home listed for rent on Craigslist. It sounded like a bargain and a dream come true for this family of nine who was new to the area looking for a home. [...] They met who they thought were the owners and Matthew Reeves, the father, tells 3TV, “We signed the lease, got a receipt for the money…$1,500.” Then they went home to get the family and celebrate. That was on Thursday. On Friday the family started cleaning and Saturday showed up to move in but someone else was already inside.

For more, see Family new to Valley loses savings in Cragislist rental scam. (or go here for video).

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Fingers Point To "Elvis" Impersonator In Possible "Squatters' Rights" Rent Scam Using Vacant Vegas Homes In Foreclosure

In Las Vegas, Nevada, the KLAS-TV Channel 8 I-Team reports:

• On one hand, he impersonates Elvis. But some say what he's doing isn't so entertaining. Real state agents Kristina Pearson and Harry Hall are trying to sell a house. It's in default and going through the foreclosure process. [...] A few months ago, someone broken in, switched the locks and then rented out the house. According to the rental agreement, a woman named Dawn Spencer has been living in the house since late April, paying $850 a month in rent.

***

• "They rented the property from this Elvis Nargi," said Hall. We caught up with Nargi in his office with American Executive Realty. At first he told us he knew about the house, then denied it. [...] Eventually, Nargi admitted his company changed the locks and rented out the house, "You really, you really have -- it's written into the state constitution, you have civic right to make that property look good."

***

• Sue Naumann heads up the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors. She says Nargi is abusing the squatter's rights law, "It sounds like a scam." While Nargi finally admitted to the allegations, he blames his staff. "There was a mistake made," he said.

For more, see:

• I-Team: "Elvis" Steals a Las Vegas House?
• I-Team: More Victims of Elvis Come Forward.

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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).

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Outgoing Tenant On Verge Of Eviction Cops Plea To Pretending To Be Landlord While Pocketing Rents & Security Deposits From Unwitting Rental Prospects

In Sacramento, California, The Sacramento Bee Crime Blog reports:

• A Sacramento man is facing a year in jail and hefty fines after conducting a real estate scam using the popular Craigslist Web site. Michael Eugene Blair, 28, pleaded guilty Wednesday to multiple counts of theft by false pretense, Sacramento police Sgt. Matt Young said. Blair was arrested in May by the department's Real Estate Fraud Unit after they learned he was renting out a property he didn't own.

• Blair used the Craigslist Web site to advertise that he was renting out a north Natomas condominium. Blair had lived in the condo and was being evicted, Young said. The man pretended to be the property's owner and collected thousands of dollars in security deposits and rent from at least four victims. He was in the midst of defrauding other people when he was arrested.

For more, see Rental scam results in jail time, restitution for Sacramento man.

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Four Charged For Allegedly Pocketing $900K From 4,000 People In NYC Rent Scam, Say Prosecutors

In New York City, Crain's New York Business reports:

• Prosecutors say four apartment brokers defrauded more than 4,000 people out of at least $900,000 by offering New York City apartments that didn't exist or were unavailable. The four were charged with scheme to defraud and acting as real estate brokers without licenses.

***

• Prosecutors say the defendants ran Innovative Apartments and Screening Services from December 2005 until May 2008. The defendants are accused of advertising nonexistent apartments online and charging clients $200 for background and credit checks that were never done. Prosecutors say the four ignored clients' demands for refunds or gave only partial repayments.(1)

Source: Four charged in alleged $900K NYC apartment rip-off.

Go here for the New York Attorney General press release on this bust.

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(1) According to a press release issued by the NY AG's office, Innovative Apartments’ co-owners Nader Jaber and Igor Portnov a.k.a. Bobby Portnov, and employees Brooke Corio and Boris Portnov a.k.a Brian Portnov, were charged with Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree (a class “E” Felony) and Operating an Apartment Information Vendor without a license (an unclassified Misdemeanor). Further, the alleged scam was promoted on the internet site, Craigslist, according to the press release. unwitting tenant rent scam yacht

Two Charged In Alleged Scam Involving Foreclosed Homes Advertised For Rent On Craigslist; Suspects Pocketed $16K+, Say Prosecutors

In Carlsbad, California, the San Diego Union Tribune reports:

• In what may be yet another wrinkle in the collapse of the housing market, prosecutors allege that Alexander Braslavsky, 34, and Anthony Patrick Marshall, 38, posted ads on Craigslist for five foreclosed homes in Carlsbad, Corona and Stanton and rented them to [unwitting prosepctive tenants].

• The two Orange County men pleaded not guilty Monday in Vista Superior Court to four counts of felony grand theft, one count of felony conspiracy, and one count of felony attempted grand theft. Prosecutors say the pair took in about $16,500.

***

• [Prospective tenant Linda] Smith, 44, said she discovered she had been swindled when she tried to turn on the utilities and was told someone had just bought the house at auction.(1) The news “steamrolled” her. [...] Carlsbad police weren't optimistic about recovering Smith's money. All Smith had was a cell phone number and a handwritten receipt. But Smith fought back anyway. She went on Craigslist and posted a notice identical to the one she had clicked on for the same Carlsbad house, explaining how she had been ripped off. A man from Huntington Beach, who was planning to meet two men about a rental house on Sierra Morena Avenue in Carlsbad, became suspicious and contacted her. Smith called police, who showed up at the meeting instead.

For more, see Would-be renter says she lost $4,500 in scheme.

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(1) According to the story, there were red flags she ignored in her eagerness. The men never asked to check her credit, didn't know where the valves for the sprinklers or gas were and didn't give her a copy of the lease. unwitting tenant rent scam yacht

Rent Hoax Promoted On Craigslist Pilfered Info, Pictures Off Local Realtor Multiple Listing Service

In Bakersfield, California, KGET-TV Channel 17 reports:

• With hundreds of homes in foreclosure, many families are looking for an affordable rental, but renters beware! A scam on a popular website is targeting local folks looking for a good deal in a hurry. One Bakersfield renter now knows that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. That kind of thinking didn't stop Tiffany Llamas from wishing an ad on Craig's List was legitimate.

***

• Llamas called Martha Johnson, her real estate agent, to find out more about the property. Johnson said, "I would like to catch that guy cause he stole all my pictures, all my wording right off the multiple listing service." It turned out that the home in the ad on Craig's List is the same home listed for sale by Johnson. As for the owner of the home, they have never even heard of the person who posted the Craig's List ad. Johnson said, "It's very easy to get this information so don't be fooled."

For more, see Rental scam targets families on the move.

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Elvis Impersonator On The Run; Vegas I-Team Finds Records Linking Suspected Foreclosure Rent Scammer To Unwitting Tenants In 42 Homes In Foreclosure

In Las Vegas, Nevada, the KLAS-TV Channel 8 I-Team reports:

• For weeks, the I-Team has been following the case of a local Elvis impersonator renting out foreclosed homes to unsuspecting tenants. He didn't tell them his company took possession of the homes without the owners or banks' knowledge. Now Elvis Nargi isn't saying anything -- because it appears he has left town.

***

• But Nargi didn't cover his tracks -- and he left behind some pretty damaging clues. First, there's the pounds of shredded documents, including property tax receipts for multiple homes and old loan agreements. The I-Team obtained copies of rent statements for the properties Elvis didn't have a right to.

• Nargi also had a master list of properties. It includes the address, the renter and how much they pay a month and owe him through July. The I-Team identified 42 of the properties on the list. Every single one of them was going through the foreclosure process. Nargi's company records show the victimized tenants would have paid him more than $60,000 in a single month. [...] At long last... Elvis has left the building.

For more, see I-Team: Elvis Impersonator Has Left the Building (read story) (watch video).

For earlier KLAS TV Channel 8 reports on this story, see:

• I-Team: "Elvis" Steals a Las Vegas House?
• I-Team: More Victims of Elvis Come Forward,
• I-Team: Housing Help -- Buyers, Renters Beware.

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Phony Philly Landlord Rents Out Same Home To Three Different Tenants, Pockets $4,800, Leaves 3 Renters In The Lurch

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, WCAU-TV Channel 10 reports on a story of a local scammer who illegally leased out a home he didn't own to three different families and made off with the upfront cash paid by each. The families learned they were scammed when they all tried to move into the home on the same day. An excerpt from the story:

• NBC 10 tracked the real owner to Blueline Investment Group, LLC, a Philadelphia rental management company. It turned out the company manages four other rental properties where the same thing happened -- someone illegally rented properties they don't own.

***

• Experts said scams like this are increasing because of the poor economy. "Unfortunately, there are many people who [are] renting houses that they don't own," said Lance Haver, a Philadelphia consumer advocate. "Usually when someone does this, it's a house that's in foreclosure, the family are losing the house to a sheriff's sale. … Some thief comes along and finds a vacant house."

Reportedly, the scammer found his victims by taking an ad out in the local paper, paying cash for the ad. As a result of the scam, the paper has changed its policy and requires payment with a credit card, according to the story.

For more, see Scam Leaves 3 Families Moving Into Same House (Local Housing Scam Conning Renters Out Of Thousands) (read story) (watch video).

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Raise The Red Flag On Craigslist-Advertised Rentals Too Good To Be True

In Seattle, Washington, KOMO-TV Channel 4 reports:

• Here's a word of warning for anyone looking to rent a house or apartment: some of the ads you see may be planted by scammers. The houses are real, but the rest is smoke and mirrors. As high as rent is getting around Seattle, when you see a nice place that's reasonable, you have to jump on it. Just make sure the person you're dealing with is really the landlord. It could be slick trick in the name of God.

***

• The imposters pose as missionaries or other devout Christians forced to transfer to West Africa. They say they had to leave on short notice and as a result, have to handle the rental themselves, long distance. They're looking for an honest tenant who they can trust to take care of their home.

For more, see Too-good-to-be-true rentals featured on Craigslist are usually just that (read story) (watch video).

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Cops Seek Phony Landlord For Pocketing Rent On A Home In Foreclosure He Didn't Own

In Greeley, Colorado, The Associated Press reports:

• Authorities are looking for a man suspected of taking money from people after he offered to rent them a home that was in foreclosure. Police say former Greeley real estate agent Gunnar Weber cashed two checks worth more than $1,500 from a couple who wanted to rent a house Weber claimed to own. The Weld County Public Trustee's office later told the couple the house was being foreclosed. The District Attorney's office has filed charges against Weber and there's a warrant for his arrest. The 28-year-old faces two felony counts of theft.

Source: Realtor Allegedly Tried Renting Foreclosed Home.

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Tenants Get Boot After Unwittingly Renting Home In Foreclosure From Non-Owner

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a column in the Philadelphia Daily News reports:

• THE 'SPACIOUS' one-bedroom apartment listed in the Internet ad sounded perfect for Sherry Murphy and her 13-year-old daughter. [...] Seemed like a bargain at $130 a week. So she moved in and paid the first week's rent to a man named Kenneth Dixon, who she thought was the owner. She wasn't the first. At least five other tenants were living there and Dixon collected their rents personally every week. And then the Department of Licenses and Inspections issued a seven-page violation report and ordered the property shut down. The tenants had read about the place in an ad Dixon ran on Craigslist.

***

• Dixon never owned the property. Anthony Johnson, whose wife, Dolores, is listed on the deed as the owner, says that they had no idea that Dixon had turned the place into a rooming house. [...] Johnson said that he had fallen behind five months on the $4,700-a-month mortgage by May. He said he was moving out of the house when Dixon appeared. [...] "He told me he helped people in distress. It was a blessing." They agreed that Dixon would buy the distressed property, freeing the Johnsons from foreclosure. But the lease-purchase arrangement fell through because of liens that had been levied against the property before Dixon got involved. Instead, Johnson said, Dixon agreed to pay the mortage and live in the property until the judgment was cleared and the sale could be arranged.

For more, see She thought she'd found a home, but it was all a house of cards.

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Texas Cops Seek Alleged Scammer For Renting Out Homes He Doesn't Own To Tenants

In Desoto, Texas, WFAA-TV Channel 8 reports:

• [P]olice are looking into a former mayoral candidate who they say is renting homes he doesn't even own. Officers showed up in a DeSoto neighborhood to search a home for information on Morris Mosley. [...] Now there's a warrant out for his arrest. Investigators say he broke into multiple homes that are in foreclosure or up for sale and rented them out for profit. "To go into someone else's home and then rent it to someone else when you don't have the property - that's pretty bold," said Corporal Ted May from DeSoto Police.

For more, see Former mayoral candidate accused of illegal renting.

For the story of one homeowner facing foreclosure who vacated her home while putting it up for sale, only to find illegal tenants living in the home (and who allegedly rented the home from Morris Mosley) when she stopped by to check on it, see DeSoto woman finds people living in her house.

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CBS Evening News On Squatters Moving Into Foreclosed Homes

In Sacramento, California, the CBS Evening News ran a story last night showing its correspondent, Ben Tracy, tagging along with a couple of local code enforcement officers making the rounds, inspecting vacant and often vandalized foreclosed homes taken back by the bank, bumping into occasional squatters along the way. Some are simply looking for a place to live. Then, there are the others, as this excerpt describes:

• Some of these squatters are even more brazen. they'll clean a place up, get the power hooked up, then they'll change the locks on the door and actually rent it out, collecting money on a place they don't even own. Real estate fraud detective Mike Wood says scammers reel in unsuspecting tenants by posting on sites such as Craigslist. "It's not till months later that the bank finally sends someone to check on the house and to discover that someone's actually living in there," Wood said. That makes it hard to know who belongs and who doesn't.

To read more, see The Frontlines Of The Foreclosure Crisis (After Banks Take Over Homes, Squatters Move In, Leaving Enforcement In A Bind).

For the CBS News video on this story, see Squatters On The Rise (A recent survey found that in 33 percent of cities nationwide vacant homes and blight).

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Squatters Pocketing Money Renting Out Homes They Don't Own; Others Hit Up Lenders In "Cash For Keys" Deals

Reuters reports:

• [S]quatting is on the rise across the United States as foreclosures surge, eviction notices mount and homes go unsold for months, complicating the worst U.S. housing slump in a quarter century and forcing real-estate brokers to enlist the help of law enforcement and courts to sell empty houses.

• In some regions, squatting is taking on new twists to include real-estate scams in which thieves "rent out" abandoned homes they don't own. Others involve "professional squatters" who move from one abandoned home to another posing as tenants who seek cash from banks as a condition to leave the premises -- a process known by real-estate brokers as "cash for key."

For more, see As homes foreclose in U.S., squatters move in. unwitting tenant rent scam yacht