Sudbury police warn of Kijiji apartment rental scam

Greater Sudbury Police are warning apartment-seekers about a Kijiji rental scam.

Police say someone is replying to people who have posted on the online classified website looking for an apartment in Sudbury.

The scammer claims to be from Toronto and sends along information for a fake apartment for rent in Sudbury. A false address and photos of the interior are included, according to police.

The scammer then asks the potential tenant to e-transfer money in return for the apartment keys.

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A total of three people have fallen prey this month, losing between $200 and $750, according to police.

"It's probably the same person or group of people," said Sudbury police staff sergeant Rick Waugh. "It's definitely people who are reading from the same script for sure."

Police added that they are still in the early stages of their investigation, and haven't yet determined who is behind the scam, or where they might be located.

Waugh said you should always see an apartment or house in person before handing over rent money.

"If someone truly has an apartment or property to rent, they should have someone who can show it," he said.

"Don't be sending money blindly to anybody on a promise that 'we'll forward you a key and then you can look at the apartment.'"

Sudbury police are looking to see if other cities are also being targeted, Waugh added.