A local con artist has been ripping off people by convincing them to rent property he didn’t own and then stealing their damage deposits.
The scammer placed online ads offering a Vancouver property for rent and posed as the property owner, walking them through the prospective accommodations. The would-be renters signed rental agreements and handed over a damage deposit and their first month’s rent. When it came time for the renters to move in, the property was not available and the scammer had moved on.
Michael Erastus Burley, a 34 year old man from Ontario, has been charged with four counts of fraud in relation to the alleged scam and is currently wanted by the Vancouver Police. Burley is white, 6’2″ tall and weighs 170 lbs.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Michael Burley is asked to call 9-1-1.
Tips For Avoiding Rental Scams (courtesy of the Better Business Bureau)
- if it seems “too good to be true,” it probably is
- get valid identification from the person offering the property for rent
- check out who you’re dealing with online
- meet your prospective landlord or property manager in person before deciding to rent an apartment or property
- never use a wire transfer service when sending money
- never rent an apartment “sight unseen”
- be cautious If they don’t ask for an application or permission to check your credit
- always check bbb.org to see if the “company” has any complaints.
