WARNING: Fraudsters target tenants via Facebook and fake OpenRent website
Prospective tenants are asked to pay more than £1,000 by fraudsters who pretend to rent out a property they don't own.
Fraudsters who prey on gullible prospective tenants by using both Facebook and fake property listing websites are under the spotlight again.
It has been reported that, as well as using social media platform, fraudsters are also using a fake OpenRent website to trick people looking for a property, according to an investigation by the Daily Telegraph.
Elderly couple
Its investigation started after an elderly couple complained that four separate people turned up on their doorstep asking about renting their home.
A fraudster based in Madrid subsequently told an investigator hired by the newsppaer and posing as a client, taht they would send the keys once a deposit of £970 had been paid.
The Spanish con artist claimed she had inherited the house from her grandfather two years ago, and was renting it from her base in Spain.
Total of £1,420
Later she asked the investigative reported to provide proof of ID and pay a total of £1,420, including the first month’s rent. using the fake OpenRent website.
A web address for the fake site was slightly different to the official website, and has since been shut down, the Daily Telegraph reports, although anyone who has paid money using the website is unlikely to get their money back.
Nevertheless, the ad for the elderly couple’s home is still visible on Facebook. The account used by the fraudster has also been reported to the bank involved.
A Facebook spokesman said: “We don’t allow fraudulent activity on our platforms and are investigating the content brought to our attention.”
In March this year Channel 4 television reported a staggering 84% rise in property scams similar to this.
