Watch out, there's a new group of scammers out there just dying to take your money.
The offers look great. They show homes, apartments and even vacation homes up for rent at bargain-basement prices.
Too bad the ads are bogus, posted with websites like Craigslist in the dark.
One local woman thought she was renting her dream home. The landlord said he was a pastor living in West Africa.
But when the keys didn't arrive and she was asked to send more money, she knew she had been scammed.
Now, she's heartbroken and out $1,200 bucks.
It turns out the home was never up for rent. It was for sale. A realtor let us take a look.
Before you sign that lease, you need to see what FOX 29 Investigates' Jeff Cole uncovered about this new, fast-growing online rental scam. You can watch the full report in the video above.
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Monday, May 20 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:08:39 GMT
An ugly business stained with sex, drugs and violence is exploding on the Internet. It's called sex trafficking, and it happens right here in our area.
An ugly business stained with sex, drugs and violence is exploding on the Internet. It's called sex trafficking, and it happens right here in our area.
Wednesday, May 8 2013 4:26 PM EDT2013-05-08 20:26:44 GMT
You saw it only on FOX, a state representative so desperate to get away from investigative reporter Jeff Cole that he drove into traffic. Now, see what happened after our story aired.
You saw it only on FOX, a state representative so desperate to get away from investigative reporter Jeff Cole that he drove into traffic. Now, see what happened after our story aired.
Tuesday, April 16 2013 1:41 PM EDT2013-04-16 17:41:36 GMT
They go to school for years, with taxpayers helping to foot-the-bill, to become doctors, dentists and chiropractors. But years later, why do they owe Uncle Sam millions of dollars in school loans?
They go to school for years, with taxpayers helping to foot-the-bill, to become doctors, dentists and chiropractors. But years later, why do they owe Uncle Sam millions of dollars in school loans?
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:39 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:39:12 GMT
The volunteer effort in Oklahoma is underway. Groups from across the country have hit the road, delivering hot meals to anyone in need. One local organization is doing what they can to help the victims
The volunteer effort in Oklahoma is underway. Groups from across the country have hit the road, delivering hot meals to anyone in need. One local organization is doing what they can to help the victims
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:01 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:01:42 GMT
Thursday weather looks damp and stormy. It will be mild and muggy to start with spotty showers early followed by afternoon and evening storms. Highs in the upper 70s with winds out of the SW 5-10 mph. Some of the storms will produce locally heavy rain and gusty winds.
This system is from the same cold front that caused the midwest tornadoes. It will also usher in cooler air for the holiday weekend.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:04:25 GMT
Veteran narcotics officer Jeff Walker was part of some of Philadelphia's most celebrated drug raids including a huge marijuana bust that netted $1.5 million dollars in pot. Now Walker finds himself on
Veteran narcotics officer Jeff Walker was part of some of Philadelphia's most celebrated drug raids including a huge marijuana bust that netted $1.5 million dollars in pot. Now Walker finds himself on
Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:59 PM EDT2013-05-22 20:59:02 GMT
The Philadelphia parents who admitted to praying for their sick baby instead of getting him medical attention are charged with third-degree murder. Herbert and Catherine Schaible's seven-month-old son,
The Philadelphia parents who admitted to praying for their sick baby instead of getting him medical attention are charged with third-degree murder. Herbert and Catherine Schaible's seven-month-old son,
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:30 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:30:01 GMT
New Jersey says it's cracking down on bars and restaurants amid claims that they're substituting premium alcoholic beverage brands with "well brand spirits," unbeknownst to customers.
New Jersey says it's cracking down on bars and restaurants amid claims that they're substituting premium alcoholic beverage brands with "well brand spirits," unbeknownst to customers.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:09 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:09:44 GMT
Police say they're looking for the public's help to find a man seen on surveillance video firing an AK-47 into a car and a gentleman's club earlier this month in Southwest Philadelphia.
Police say they're looking for the public's help to find a man seen on surveillance video firing an AK-47 into a car and a gentleman's club earlier this month in Southwest Philadelphia.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:49 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:49:38 GMT
Wow! Doylestown really rolled out the welcome mat (and a real red carpet) this morning when Good Day's Jenn Frederick came to town!We chose Doylestown as one of the places to visit in our series called
Wow! Doylestown really rolled out the welcome mat (and a real red carpet) this morning when Good Day's Jenn Frederick came to town!We chose Doylestown as one of the places to visit in our series called
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:32 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:32:28 GMT
There is a beautiful new bench outside Engine 53 in South Philadelphia honoring a brave and dedicated firefighter who gave his life to protect his community. Captain Michael Goodwin's name is etched into
There is a beautiful new bench outside Engine 53 in South Philadelphia honoring a brave and dedicated firefighter who gave his life to protect his community. Captain Michael Goodwin's name is etched into
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:44 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:44:14 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:29 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:29:45 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:15:21 GMT
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:00 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:00:29 GMT
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police.
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police. Andrea Rebello's family followed the pastor Wednesday as he led her white cloth-draped coffin to the altar at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:55:01 GMT
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:27 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:27:26 GMT
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:10 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:10:42 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
