Chesterton Police are warning folks that someone is still working the
Craigslist rental property scam.
According to police, on Thursday a woman reported that she exchanged e-mails
with the purported owner of a townhouse in the 1900 block of David Drive in
which she expressed interest in renting the property. The purported
owner—identifying himself as “Terry Johnson”—indicated that he was currently
residing in West Africa and would be staying there for several years to
complete a tour as a missionary. “Johnson” also specifically asked the woman
to drive by the residence but not to bother the neighbors as he was in
possession of the keys and would ship them at a later date, police said.
Her suspicions aroused, the woman did in fact bother the neighbors and found
the Craigslist ad suspicious, police said. Investigators later spoke with
the townhouse’s actual owners, who advised that the property is listed for
sale, not for rent, and no “Terry Johnson” is known to them.
The Craigslist ad was posted approximately a week ago, after the property
was put on the market for sale, police said.
No money was exchanged and there was no reported loss.
