(photo courtesy Stuart Miles and freedigitalphotos.net)

April 07 the LCSO began an investigation after a local land lord learned someone else was attempting to rent their property to others. The scammers noticed the rental property and photos on Facebook and/or Zillow and then used those photos and information to create a listing for the scammers under a false name.

The scammer gave a local person permission to go onto the property and look through the windows claiming he was out of the country and had the keys with him. The intended victim realized this was not right and notified the actual property owner.

The scammer would have requested the intended victim transfer money for deposit to rent or initiate the purchase of the home. This same scammer also had a listing for a property in Cameron, MO and the LCSO contacted that property owner sharing this information. The LCSO notified Facebook of the fraudulent account for removal.

Fortunately no one is out any money but it shows these creeps will do anything to steal your money.

Sheriff Steve Cox