Fake Rental Scam in Victoria: Jail After Nine Victims
He showed up, opened the door and let people walk through the apartment. The lease he signed was not worth the paper. This rental scam did not need a fake website.
By Siddharth ShankarUpdated October 11, 2026CHEK News reported that a man was sentenced to 42 months in jail plus restitution after seven counts of fraud under $5,000 in downtown Victoria. Police said there were nine victims, who lost over $9,000 between March and July 2022, and that he had eight prior fraud convictions. He advertised units, showed interiors and signed fake leases. See what scammers find when they research you.
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Renters in a tight housing market feel pressure to move fast. That pressure is what rental scammers sell to. In downtown Victoria in 2022, one man combined a real location, real viewings and fake leases to take deposits from people looking for a home.
What happened
CHEK News reported that a man was sentenced to 42 months in jail, plus restitution to victims after release, on seven counts of fraud under $5,000. Police said he had eight prior fraud convictions.
According to the report, police counted nine victims, who lost over $9,000 between March and July 2022. Deposits he demanded ranged from $750 to $2,250. Police announced the arrest on September 21, 2022.
How it worked
He advertised downtown Victoria rentals, including on Craigslist. Unlike many rental scams that rely on photos alone, he showed the interiors of the units, signed fake leases and collected deposits and the first month's rent. Sometimes he handed out fobs. Some of the units turned out to be short-term vacation rentals.
To appear legitimate, he contacted victims' references. A reference check is a normal step for a real landlord, and here it was used as a prop. The scam worked because every familiar landlord step was present, even though the person doing it had no right to rent the unit.
What was exposed
The report says tenants gave deposits and rental references to someone who posed as a landlord. A rental application often includes a name, address, employer and contact details for references, and handing those to a false landlord can carry its own risk. The report does not say that identity details were misused, so we do not claim it.
How it ended
For these nine victims, the ending is partial. The man was sentenced to jail, and the court ordered restitution after his release. Restitution depends on his ability to pay, so the amount actually repaid is uncertain. The report does not state the sentencing date.
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Key facts at a glance
- Sentence: 42 months in jail, plus restitution after release
- Counts: seven counts of fraud under $5,000
- Victims: nine, per police
- Losses: over $9,000, March to July 2022
- Deposits requested: $750 to $2,250
- Prior convictions: eight prior fraud convictions, per police
How to rent safely
1Confirm who owns or manages the unit
Ask for proof the person has the right to rent it, and check with the building's property manager where possible.
2Never pay before you have a written lease you can verify
Deposits paid in cash or by e-transfer before checks are the standard scam pattern.
3Be cautious about unusually low rents
Prices far below the local market are a reason to look harder.
4Limit what you give out before you are sure
Share only what is needed at each stage. Our guide to what strangers can find about you explains why details add up.
What the report does not say
The report does not state the sentencing date, name the victims or say whether the restitution has been paid. For a fraud that targeted people through a different kind of advertisement, see the fake job ad and tax fraud case in Australia.
Why this case matters
Many people think of rental scams as fake listings with stolen photos. This case shows a version with a physical presence. The scammer met people, opened real doors and issued paperwork. That makes the usual advice about avoiding sight-unseen deals incomplete, and it explains why checking authority to rent matters as much as seeing the unit.
Housing pressure is the lever. When a market is tight, renters accept less certainty and move fast. Taking one extra day to check ownership with a property manager costs far less than losing a deposit, and a genuine landlord will understand why you asked.
The practical next step is similar for most people. Read up on what strangers can find about you online, how property records make your address public and how to prevent identity theft, then review your own accounts. You can also try our free digital footprint check.
Sources
- CHEK News: Man sentenced to 3.5 years for Victoria rental scams (42 months, seven counts, nine victims, $9,000, deposits)
Frequently asked questions
How did the rental scam work?
The man advertised downtown Victoria units, showed interiors, signed fake leases and collected deposits and rent, sometimes giving out fobs, according to CHEK News.
How many victims were there?
Police counted nine victims, who lost over $9,000 between March and July 2022.
What sentence did he receive?
He was sentenced to 42 months in jail plus restitution to victims after release, according to CHEK News.
How can I check a landlord is real?
Ask for proof they have the right to rent, verify with the building manager, avoid paying before a verified written lease and be wary of prices far below the market.
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