Police warn of scam targeting apartment seekers

Fake apartment ads seek deposits

The Miramichi Police Force is warning the public about a new scam on Facebook Marketplace. Scammers are posting fake ads for apartments, using random addresses in the city and photos that don’t match the actual locations.

When someone inquires about the apartment, the scammer claims it’s still available but that they are out of the province until the end of October. They often send believable voice messages, usually from a woman, to make the scam seem legitimate.

The scammer then asks for an e-transfer to hold the apartment, claiming it should be sent to their "accountant’s email." They promise to mark the listing as sold once the money is sent.

After the money is transferred, the scammer stops responding, and the apartment turns out to be fake. In many cases, the address is real, but the owners are unaware that their property is being used in the scam.

The Miramichi Police Force urges everyone to be cautious. Do not send money for an apartment without seeing it in person, and don’t trust anyone who asks for payment to a third-party email. If you see a suspicious ad or have been scammed, report it to Facebook and contact the police.