News

Crooks Using Craigslist To Find Scam Victims

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Local investigators say more and more crooks are using the popular website Craigslist to find their victims. A Longwood woman says she was almost scammed twice while surfing the site for a place to rent.

Not wanting to be identified, the woman told WFTV she thought something wasn't right when she was asked to Western Union $100. When the man said he was out of the country, she checked the Seminole County Property Appraiser's website and discovered the house she had asked about was foreclosed on and owned by Fannie Mae.

Days later, the woman was emailed about a second listing.

"He emails me back, this person, saying, ‘Thanks for the inquiry. I'm Doctor Stephen Oscar, the owner of the house,'" she explained.

That email was from another fake homeowner. In both cases, scammers asked the woman to send money to Africa.

Longwood police say Craigslist is full of similar fraudulent listings. Five have been reported in Seminole County in the past month.

0