John Laury

Victim Location 08332

Total money lost $1,200

Type of a scam Rental

Scammer posted a link to a rental home on Craigstlist that he claimed to be the owner of. He included photos and info on the home. He drafted an authentic looking rental agreement and claimed that he was working out of state with an oil company for a month, so everything had to be handled virtually. He requested the transfer of funds for a deposit in order to secure the home, along with the first month’s rent, as most landlords request for initial move in. He promised to mail keys upon succesful transfer of funds. I became skeptical and called the real estate company assigned to the home, and they confirmed that this was indeed a scam, and the person responsible had no affiliation with the property at all. The bank would not return my funds because the transaction was sent through Zelle. Police have been notified and are doing what they can to investigate and return my lost funds. This has been devastating to my family financially, especially during a pandemic.