Family Packs Up to Move Into “New Home” — Then Learns Facebook Rental Deal Was Fake

SOUTH WEBSTER, OH — Deputies responding to a suspicious vehicle complaint in South Webster uncovered something far worse than trespassing: A family that had apparently fallen victim to a devastating Facebook Marketplace rental scam. Scioto County Sheriff’s deputies were called after a woman reported seeing a U-Haul van parked outside a property that was listed for sale. The caller told deputies she believed the people moving in were the same individuals officers had previously ordered to leave the property days earlier. 📄 Fake Lease, Real Money Gone When deputies arrived, they spoke with a man who believed he had legally rented the home. According to the report, the man showed officers: A rental agreement Text messages Payment receipts And other documents connected to the deal The problem? Authorities determined it was all fake. The man had allegedly paid someone through Facebook Marketplace for a rental property they had no right to lease. Instead of unloading into a new home… the family suddenly found themselves packing everything back up and leaving. ⚠️ Rental Scams Are Exploding Online Law enforcement agencies across the country say scams involving fake rentals have become increasingly common on: Facebook Marketplace Craigslist Social media groups And fake real estate listings Scammers often: Copy legitimate home listings Post stolen photos Demand deposits upfront Send fake leases And disappear after collecting money Victims frequently don’t realize they’ve been scammed until: They show up to move in The real owner arrives Or police get called 🚩 Warning Signs of a Rental Scam Authorities say some major red flags include: Prices that seem too good to be true Pressure to send money quickly Requests for payment through apps or gift cards Refusal to meet in person Claims they’re “out of town” No background checks or formal process Experts recommend: ✅ Verifying ownership through county records ✅ Touring the property in person ✅ Never paying cash without verification ✅ Using legitimate rental platforms when possible ❗ A Brutal Reality for Victims What makes these scams especially cruel is that victims often aren’t just losing money. They’re losing: Time Housing security Moving expenses And sometimes the last of their savings In this case, deputies didn’t find criminals hiding inside the house. They found a family who thought they were starting over… only to discover the home they paid for was never theirs at all.

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