Micheal J. Stalter

Victim Location 43229

Total money lost $1,550

Type of a scam Moving

I was looking for a home on rent.com. I found a listing for a half double at 1348 Cambrian, Columbus, OH 43220. The listing was by Micheal J. Stalter (518) 655-9649 [email protected] and [email protected] On the lease it reads: "rent and other charges are to be paid at such place or method designated by the owner. Are to be made by cash or as directed by owner. Owner acknowledges agreed to be paid a monthly rent of $700 and a security deposit of $600 with application of $50 for a total of $1350. All payments are to be made payable via Financier’s bank." He said he was in Maine, and we would have to pay him by Money Gram or Western Union. He asked us to pay an additional $200 pet deposit. He gave us a copy of his signature on the lease 5.1.18, his passport, a certificate of ownership of the property. So on Thursday, May 3rd I went to Walmart at 2700 Bethel Rd, Columbus to use Money gram to send $1550.00 to his realtor Scott Pinette. The Walmart clerk did not warn me about scams. Walmart confirms the money was picked up in Stanford, ME. I was moving in today, but nobody was there. The For Rent sign was gone. The double is cleared out. I looked up the listing on Zillo and called the realtor, *** ***, ***. She told me she was renting it to someone else. She told me to report this to BBB. BBB took a report and helped me report it to the police.