— Durham police issued a warning to the public about online scams Friday after arresting a man who posed as a woman in a Craigslist post about a room for rent.

A woman told authorities she responded on April 21 to a Craigslist ad for a room to rent in a three-bedroom home in Durham. The woman said she believed she was corresponding with another woman in her age range who needed a female roommate. When the woman moved into the home, police said she discovered that the ad had been placed by William Oliver King Jr., who lives in the home and had been impersonating a younger woman online.

King, 52, of Arnette Avenue, was charged Sunday with obtaining property by false pretense.

Anyone who believes they have been the victim of a similar scam should call the Durham Police Department at 919-560-4440, ext. 29350.

The police department's Fraud Unit offered the following tips for residents: