(CMR) The police are asking people who have fallen victim to a rental scam where a woman used fake identities to advertise apartments not belonging to her on Ecay Trade to come forward and file a report.
The woman, who CMR understands is Olicia Blake, advertises the properties under fake names such as Suzan Levy and Patty Sue Bromfield. She then shows properties that do not belong to her, collects a deposit, and then disappears.
Several people contacted CMR, saying they were victims of this rental scam. The people who responded to the Ecay advertisements said they arranged with the woman to meet up at various locations to view the advertised properties.
However, when they turn up at these locations, they are shown the buildings but are not allowed inside because ” the current tenant, who is expected to vacate the premises soon, does not like for people to visit.”
The scammer collects deposits for those apartments and then blocks the phone numbers of those scammed, making it impossible for them to contact her. The woman also uses several different numbers.
During The Cold Hard Truth on Tuesday, Sandy Hill tried to reach the woman by several of the phone numbers she provided to her victims; however, she was unsuccessful.
One woman who fell victim to this rental scam said she became suspicious when she went to the location to view the apartment but was told she could not look inside.
Thinking things over, she decided to ask for a refund of the deposit made but then realized she could not get in touch with Blake. She then reported the matter to the police. She then realised the name and address the Blake gave her were false.
Blake, who is said to drive a white Honda Fit, reportedly turned up at one location to show the apartment with her child, making her victim more trusting of her.
The locations advertised include Breakers/Bodden Town, Crewe Road, and Lookout Gardens.
CMR understands Blake has been arrested for similar matters but was bailed.
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