Jake Eakley and Alejandra Gil thought they had found the perfect apartment in Toronto until the red flags started piling up. They narrowly avoided losing $4,400 in first and last months' rent to an alleged scammer and are sharing their experience to warn other prospective renters.
"It's very hard to find a place," Eakley told CBC News. "For people to have to also worry about this, it's sad." In this email to the couple, the alleged scammer lays out his reasons for renting out the loft and the supposed third party involved. Property records show David Terrance does not own the loft. NAI Global is a real company but says it has nothing to do with the scam and has reported it to police.
"That's where the really big red flags came out," Eakley said. "We haven't seen the place yet, and you still want us to pay first?" CBC News contacted the alleged scammer at the email address that was used to communicate with Eakley and Gil for this story but never received a response.NAI Global, the third-party company whose name and logo appear on the emails and paperwork the couple received, does exist, but it doesn't work with residential buildings. The New York-based real estate firm deals in commercial properties.
The most recent post provides the same Spanish phone number that was given to Eakley and Gil but uses a different variation of David Terrance's name.Based on the details of Eakley and Gil's experience, cybersecurity expert Ryan Duquette said he suspects the scam came from some sort of organized group.
Sophisticated? Elaborate?
The real scam is wanting or trying to move to Toronto. I lived there for 7 years, absolute toilet. Anyone wanting to live there is insane, so you end up living in a very crowded septic tank/mental asylum. I am so glad someone is combating this endeavor with scams, whatever works.
Lol or you could just stop living in the shithole called southern Ontario
Happening even in smaller towns around Ontario. Pretending to rent out cottages in Wasaga and apartments in Alliston etc. “I am clergy and had to take a trip to the US, but can courier the keys for you to view the place. Need a deposit.” Later you’ll be spammed w phishing texts
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