With several foreclosures in the last few years, there are tons of properties that are lying empty. Scammers find these empty places, go there, change the locks, and place an ad for its lease in the newspapers the same day, representing themselves as the landlords.
They will meet people who are interested in renting the property at the house over the next few days, offering all of a great deal, and getting them all to sign fake leases. And, of course, each of the victims has to pay a deposit – as is normal when renting a property so they think nothing of it.
They only realize it is a scam when they turn up to move in and discover other people doing the same, by which time the “landlords” have skipped to the next state.
How to avoid: if you are considering paying a deposit, ask the owners to provide you with the documents of the house, as proof.