Realtor goes undercover to stop renting scam

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – It’s one of the can’t miss homes in the Irvington neighborhood. The 1910 Victorian house sits on North Whittier, and it boast three bedrooms, and 2.5 bathrooms. Recently the historic home was placed on the market for sale.

“They’ve been trying to sell that one,” said Irvington Resident Terry Leap.

Throughout the day, those passing through the neighborhood stopped to take a peek at the home. Recently scammers tried to take advantage of the home’s popularity. According to a police report, a woman who didn’t own the home placed the house on Craigslist for rent.

An alert realtor found the listing on Craigslist and contacted the police, but he couldn’t get a response to his complaint quick enough. So the he did his own investigation. Pretending to be a renter, he responded to the Craiglist’s ad. In turn the suspect called him back and asked to meet at Hardees. The undercover realtor showed up and so did the suspect. The two negotiated a lease agreement and the suspect asked for $600 as a deposit. The realtor gave the money, but during the process he used stall tactics while a friend called police who swept in and arrested the woman.

Police have not released official charges against the suspect as of Monday evening. 24- Hour News 8, talked to the realtor turned investigator over the phone. Scott Wynkoop, with Brokerage Firm LLC, described the suspect’s demeanor when talking with her.

“Very uneducated, unrefined, very unprofessional, and was very pushy,” said Wynkoop.

Wynkoop suggests if someone is ever unsure if a person owns a home he or she is thinking about renting, ask for proof of ownership. Proof of ownership can be obtained from the county treasurer, or even the assessor’s office.