Renters Beware: Craigslist Scam Rips Off Apartment Hunters
Angelenos apartment hunting on Craigslist became victims of a recent rental scam. More than two dozen renters were ripped off by the con artists, who preyed on suspects seeking inexpensive apartments. Three suspects have been detained.
LAPD swat officers raided an apartment near Silver Lake on Tuesday morning, a spot where they believed the operation was based. Two suspects were arrested during the raid, and another suspect was arrested across town. CBS LA reports that the alleged ringleader was Keith Adkins, a 29-year-old registered sex offender recently released from prison in June. His time obviously served him well.
The trio is being charged with grand theft. Police discovered rental applications, receipts and a gun inside the raided apartment.
Tanzy Harris, a single mother of three girls, fell victim to the scam while searching for "something better and quieter and safer" for her children. CBS LA details her experience.
Harris was looking to move from a one-bedroom apartment. Back in September she responded to an ad on Craigslist for an apartment near Sunset and Vine in Hollywood listed for $1,288 a month. She was given the lock-box code and looked around. She then met with a man the next day, who claimed to represent the owner. She gave him a $1,350 deposit — he gave her a key. But she found out the next day that the key did not work. She also noticed a sign posted on the wall warning about people working a scam in the area.
Police are currently searching for additional victims. Were you scammed? Speak up!
