Sarnia residents are reminded to exercise caution when renting or buying homes online after an old scam resurfaced recently.
Constable John Sottosanti said they investigated an attempted fraud involving a scammer who tried to rent a residence on the internet for an extremely good price.
He said the scammer takes information about a house that is actually listed for sale locally and advertises it as being available for rent on a different website.
"When the individual calls, the story is given in regards to why the person that is renting the house can't be present and that this is a one-time offer because they have numerous other offers in the wind, and this is your chance," said Sottosanti.
Fortunately, in the most recent case, no money was lost because the transaction was looked into further, but Constable Sottosanti said some victims do respond, and send money, with the promise of a key being sent to them.
"But no key ever shows up and the person is out the money. So what we ask is that you actually make contact with the person renting the house in person, or have the opportunity to see the house," he said.
Sottosanti said don't bow to pressure tactics and rush into any deal.
-With files from Dave Dentinger