In a successful Spokane scam certain to be repeated, crooks rented a single-family Airbnb that was for sale, scraped the home’s online ad and altered contact details. A long-running scam targets renters and home-buyers seeking a home on Craigslist or other advertising websites. The scammers “scrape” an authentic real estate ad and create a mirror copy, changing only the contact names interested parties should call and the price by making it very attractively below market rate.
Fake Online Listing Scam Gets New Twist Thanks to Airbnb
A hallmark of the scam, however, is that the renters or possible buyers never meet the home owners, who are usually “out of town” for some type of special event. The customers are encouraged to drive by the property to see if they like it, and quite a few then put down a down-payment fearing the “great rental deal” will get away if they don’t.
Home seekers who know of the scam usually don’t fall prey to it – however a pair of scammers in Spokane, Washington, found a way to work around that by renting out a home that was also an Airbnb rental. Scammed renter Shareen Ross told her story to Channel 4 News Now in Spokane in regards to the crime.
Ross was looking for a reasonably price home rental and discovered a nice-looking one on Facebook Marketplace for $1,350 a month. She used the contact information and spoke with Robert and Todd.
“We were actually able to go in and view the home,” Ross told Channel 4. “He had, what he said was his contractor meet us there. Had the keys, and he was so knowledgeable about the house, we didn’t think twice that this was a scam.”
Ross sent the two men $2,000 to confirm that she wanted the home, and then they emailed her a lease to sign. They said they’d call “the first part of the next week.”
But they didn’t call. As Ross’ suspicions grew, she did some internet checking and found out that the house was listed for sale.
“I contacted the real estate agent and this gentleman is not even the owner, and they don’t even know who he is,” Ross says. “Come to find out, they had been renting their home via Airbnb.”
Unlike many scams, Ross said she took the steps you’re supposed to take to ensure that the deal was legitimate. She spoke to a real person and actually toured the home. She says she looks back at the way everything happened and wonders what she missed, but “The only thing I feel like I could’ve missed that this was a little too good to be true. … This can happen to anyone. I felt like I was doing all the right steps and making sure that everything was done properly. This guy was good. This guy was slick.”
Ross, the true homeowner along with the Realtor representing the sale are working with authorities on the investigation.
Have a questions or concern? Nick, Cindy & Nicholas Davis with RE/MAX Premier Group are here to assist you with all your Real Estate Needs. We are always available at 813-300-7116 to answer your questions or you can simply click here and we will be in touch with you shortly.
Need to get started with your mortgage process? You can contact Kyle Edwards with Iberia Bank at 813-495-5131, or simply click here to start your online application.
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