Last week, the Bellefontaine Police Department received a report of a possible rental scam.
A complainant was helping a friend locate an apartment on East Sandusky Avenue in Bellefontaine.
The apartment had been advertised on Facebook Marketplace, and the victim sent the renter $800 plus a $120 application fee via Facebook Messenger.
The renter later requested an additional $500 for utilities and a homeowners association fee, raising suspicions of a scam.
The complainant asked the renter to return the $920 already paid, but received no response.
Attempts to contact the renter via FaceTime were unsuccessful, with calls repeatedly disconnected.
The complainant and victim reported visiting the apartment in person, noting a “For Rent” sign in the yard, but they had never met the renter face-to-face.
The renter stated they would meet only after the full $500 payment was made, which the victim was unable to provide.
The Bellefontaine Police Department continues to investigate the incident and encourages residents to be cautious when conducting transactions online, especially for housing rentals.
