Scam dupes renters out of deposit

Mounties in the Okanagan are warning the public about a rental fraud scam.

Police say potential renters have met with man at a Kelowna rental property listed on Kijiji, and engaged in a long-term rental contract.

“This has resulted in the potential renters paying the suspect a damage deposit to secure the rental property as their own,” said Cpl. Meghan Foster of Kelowna RCMP.

Police describe the suspect as a black man who is approximately 23 to 30 years old.

“This investigation is on-going and our priority is to identify the suspect male in an effort to advance the investigation,” said Foster. “The suspect male has allegedly provided the name of Tim Halyhart to the renters but we do not believe this to be the suspect male’s true identity.”

Anyone with information about the scam is asked to call the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).