Police Issue Reminder on Online Rental Property Scams

On Monday, 24 November, police received a report of a member of the public who had fallen victim to an online property rental scam, where they sent funds to a seller claiming to have a property available for rent. Prior to reporting the matter, about $5,400CI was sent by the victim. The matter is currently under investigation.

The RCIPS is reminding the public about the prevalence of such fraudulent advertisements on online platforms such as ecayTrade.  Fraud networks exploit these rental listings to collect government-issued IDs and “viewing fees.” These can also be done with listings of vehicles for sale or lease, as seen in other recent incidents.

Scammers rely on urgency tactics and third-party payment platforms. This method results in both financial loss and vulnerability to identity theft, where a collected ID is reused to target new victims.

When looking at online advertisement listings, particularly for rentals or vehicle purchases, it is important to keep an eye out for red flags such as:

•Requests for ID before any viewing occurs.

•Payment instructions via third-party platforms or overseas bank accounts rather than conventional channels.

•Urgency and pressure to act quickly. “A lot of people are enquiring”

•Communication cut immediately after payment.

•Identity documents appearing in multiple rental listings.

These types of ads can usually be found on online marketplaces (ecayTrade), social media groups (Facebook Marketplace) and booking sites (Booking.com).

Keep in mind that if it is too good to be true, it usually is. You should always:

•Conduct your research into the property first before any payments are made.

•Where possible check with local Real Estate companies to verify availability.

If you believe you have been the victim of such a scam, contact the RCIPS at 949-4222.