Internet fraud involving rental homes

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - A property manager said he listed a home for rent online only to find it listed in another ad, by someone else, at a much lower price.

Property manager Dwain Henson showed WAVY.com the rental home he listed for $1,300 a month online. The same pictures showed up in another ad by someone else but for $500 cheaper.

"Folks out there are taking ads and reposting them as their own and they're trying to get consumers to send them cash," said Henson.

Henson was tipped off by a real estate agent and wanted others to know about it so they don't take the bait.

"I am afraid folks will send the money. The guy is very convincing in the e-mail. He's a Christian and he just wants somebody to take care of the house and those are the kinds of things they're doing. Very believeable," said Henson.

So far, he hasn't heard of anyone actually scammed but admits it's important to first know who owns the property before sending any cash.

Henson offered the following tip. "I want them to hopefully meet them person to person. At least have a person they can point to. When they're doing this on the Internet, there's no person they can say, this is who I sent it to."

Henson contends when properties are listed with agents, they make sure they know the owners and that offers consumers more security.

He has since alerted the internet crime complaint center and is waiting for a response.

10 On Your Side called the phone number on the ad and got a recording.