Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/100060
Sarasota News Leader December 21, 2012 Page 38 POLICE WARNING ABOUT CRAIGSLIST RENTAL AGENT SCAM Within the past couple of weeks, individuals have become victims of a rental housing fraud scam after responding to a posting on the popular Craigslist website, the Sarasota Police Department has announced. The second case occurred on Dec. 7 at a house located in the 2000 block of Central Avenue. The victims had contacted an individual on the telephone who identified himself as ���John Dougan,��� the news release says. In both instances, the victims responded to advertisements posted on Craigslist and arranged to meet with a rental agent to see the properties, a news release says. The perpetrators showed the houses to the potential renters and collected cash deposits from them. These ���renters��� were told they could occupy the residences once the houses had been cleaned, the release adds. The victims agreed to meet ���Dougan��� at the residence. There, the victims paid $600 in cash and received a rental contract, the release notes. The victims realized they had been scammed when they learned the property had not been available to rent, the release points out. Within a short period of time, three other couples arrived at the house looking for ���Dougan��� to potentially rent the home, the release says. The first incident occurred on Dec. 4 at a The victims and the other couples all contacthouse located in the 1600 block of 32nd Street, ed ���Dougan��� after seeing the home listed on the release notes. The victim contacted an inCraigslist, they told police. dividual by telephone who identified himself as Gary. The victim agreed to meet Gary that When the victims tried to contact the rental afternoon to walk through the house; if she agent (Dougan or Summer), they found the wanted to rent the home, Gary told her she phones had been disconnected, the release would have to put down a deposit, the release adds. says. ���John Dougan��� is described as a black, male, When the victim arrived at the house, she was 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall with a medium met by an individual who identified herself as build. He was described as wearing a brown Summer King or Kung, the release continues. ���kangaroo��� hat with a gold band, a white shirt, The victim gave King $325 in cash as a partial tan shorts and sandals. He was unshaven with deposit, signed a lease and received a key. She a goatee, and he had a single gold tooth, the was told she could move in after the house news release says. had been cleaned and the remainder of the Police officers recommend that prior to comsecurity deposit had been paid, the release pleting a rental agreement, people verify the notes. party renting to them is a reputable agent or When the victim returned to the residence on owner. Never give cash as a deposit, the news release points out. Dec. 5, she discovered the lock on the door had been changed and that the house had not Anyone with information about these crimes been for rent, she told police. is asked to call 954-7088.