Article content

Police are warning the public of two rental scams that claimed several victims in Ottawa last month.

The first is an apartment rental scam where tenants view photos of what is described online as an available place, Ottawa police said in a news release.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Ottawa police warn of online rental scams Back to video

Once contacted, the fraudster attempts to gain the victims’ trust and pressures them to sign a lease immediately before demanding a deposit by e-transfer.

The victims send the money and only when they visit the unit do they discover the place is already rented, police said.

The second is a rental parking scam. Fraudsters contact victims online who are looking for a parking spot. A price and lease are agreed upon and a deposit is requested via e-transfer to the fraudster.

Some victims only found out the agreement was a scam when they started using the parking spot and received a warning from the true parking space owner, police said.

This scam has been most popular in the Ottawa city centre.

Police asked any victims of these scams to report the incident and anyone with information is asked to call 613-236-1222, ext. 5433. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

ALSO IN THE NEWS

OC Transpo cancels planned layoffs after LRT launch

Family bike shop will likely be bulldozed for Queensway bridge repairs

Domestic abuse case of former hostage Joshua Boyle now in judge’s hands