Madison Realtor Catches Craigslist Scam | Crime

A Madison realtor contacted police last week after spotting a bogus rental listing on Craigslist, according to the Madison Police Department.

The home on Craig Avenue just south of University Avenue is on the city's far west side.

The agent told police that she regularly monitors the Internet site because of past real estate fraud attempts involving some of her listings. In this case, a person pirated one of her homes and posted the realtor's photos and information on Craigslist, police said.

The ad indicated rent would be $500 per month. Typically, thieves try to get a victim to send deposit money to some international address and then the tenant is told house keys will be mailed upon receipt, police aid.

The ruse usually includes some plausible explanation as to why the homeowner is not in the country. The reality is these homes are not actually for rent at all, police said.