Does a rental listing seem too good to be true? It just might be.

Richmond RCMP is warning of a recent trend in which hopeful renters have lost deposits after being tricked by scammers into sending payment to secure rental housing.

According to police, at least five victims have come forward since July to report the rental deposit frauds.

In each of the cases, the victim found an online ad for housing on a social media platform, contacted the alleged landlord or owner and were instructed to send money by an online transfer to secure the rental property. Once the money had been sent and deposited, the victim found the listing had disappeared, and the supposed landlord or owner could not be reached.

The victims lost between $400 to $2,600 in each case.

“We realize the rental market is h

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