{"id":42497,"date":"2023-03-07T09:28:15","date_gmt":"2023-03-06T20:28:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/propertynoise.co.nz\/au\/?p=42497"},"modified":"2023-03-07T09:28:15","modified_gmt":"2023-03-06T20:28:15","slug":"beware-scam-targeting-desperate-renters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/propertynoise.co.nz\/au\/beware-scam-targeting-desperate-renters\/","title":{"rendered":"BEWARE: Scam targeting desperate renters"},"content":{"rendered":"

PHOTO: There is a cruel new scam targeting Aussies desperate to find somewhere to live amid the rental crisis.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Scammers are now targeting desperate renters trying to find somewhere to live by baiting them with prices too good to be true.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Shocking text messages have revealed how \u201clandlords\u201d are luring in potential victims by advertising attractive properties with lower than usual rental prices.<\/p>\n

\"Reserve<\/a><\/div>\n
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Reserve Bank expected to announce its tenth rate rise | WATCH<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n

After gaining interest, they will then ask the desperate person looking to rent to pay a deposit to be able to go and view the property.<\/p>\n

Sydneysider Cihan Kenar almost fell victim to this scam after inquiring about a three-bedroom, freestanding house situated around his local area of Rosebery and advertised for $400 a week.<\/p>\n

Despite this being well below market price at the moment, he decided it was worth at least going for an inspection.<\/p>\n

\"Seacliff\"<\/a><\/div>\n
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Bizarre find inside \u2018crazy\u2019 Aussie home with 19 bedrooms | WATCH<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n

However after agreeing to a time to meet up, the \u201clandlord\u201d texted last minute to cancel \u2013 but offered an alternative solution.<\/p>\n

They asked if Mr Kenar would be willing to pay a deposit to come see the house, and said if he did not like the property, he would be able to get a refund.<\/p>\n

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The \u2018landlord\u2019 text asking for a deposit, before he had even seen the house. Picture: Facebook<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n

\u201cThis seemed very odd, it was a three-bedroom and freestanding house,\u201d he told\u00a07 News.<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is way below the market value. I asked some questions about the house and said I can come and see it. The address given was only seven minutes away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr Kenar was livid after the landlord\u2019s text.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey asked if I can put a deposit down to secure the property,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were basically asking me to act quickly as to not lose such a great deal. This really made me realise it was a scam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Sam<\/a><\/div>\n
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Sam Burgess\u2019 home for sale<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n

The scammer told Mr Kenar that they were \u201cvery busy\u201d and promised to come by the next day if a deposit was made.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be honest with you, I suppose [sic] to be there today but currently like this I\u2019m very busy at work,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cDefinitely tomorrow by 4.25pm. You can see I\u2019m just responding to all request now because I\u2019m busy and they\u2019re [sic] many request.<\/p>\n

\"property<\/a><\/div>\n
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Pilot lands a first-class property portfolio<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cIf you can drop your information and make a refundable deposit to secure it now. Then once we meet tomorrow and the house doesn\u2019t suit, your money will be refunded immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n

The angry renter decided to tell the scammer how he felt, before blocking him for good.<\/p>\n

Are you f**king serious?\u201d Mr Kenar replied.<\/p>\n

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\"Sydney<\/div>\n

Sydney is the midst of a rental crisis. Picture: Chris Pavlich\/The Australian<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n

\u201cYou bait me with a cheap rent and ask for a deposit?\u201d<\/p>\n

After posting about the infuriating interaction on a Facebook group, Mr Kenar discovered that he was not the only one who had been targeted by this scam.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

READ MORE VIA NEWS.COM.AU<\/a><\/p>\n

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