Kelowna RCMP say with the hot local housing market, rental scammers continue to put people at risk.
Police in West Kelowna were tipped off in late September over fake rental listings that were circulating some online classifieds.
The scammers tend to follow the same routine, as they steal photos and property details from legitimate listings, and turn it into a fake ad with new contact info.
Once renters send in an application, they're told over the phone to e-transfer a deposit, in exchange for the keys, which will be sent through a courier. Once the deposit is cashed, the keys are never sent, and the communication ends.
Police are warning renters to always book an in-person viewing of the property, and not to send money to people you haven't met.