Whistler – Whistler RCMP are warning those looking for rental accommodation to be on the lookout for a scam involving a request to wire rent and/or deposit money to a far-off location.
Whistler RCMP Staff Sgt. Steve LeClair on Wednesday (Nov. 19) said at least one local resident had been victimized by the scam. According to LeClair, the scammers list a local property for rent on Craigslist, complete with photos of the unit.
After an initial contact by email, more photos are sent by email, followed by a request to send money to Nigeria by Western Union. In the one instance, the victim was asked to wire $700, then was asked to send more money, LeClair said.
“The suspicious things are wiring money by Western Union, to a country far away, and if there’s no face-to-face meeting with a person, those are red flags,” he said.
Those who encounter this or similar situations are urged to contact Whistler RCMP at (604) 932-3044.
