A Toronto man is facing nine charges after allegedly running a rental scam on Craigslist.
Toronto police say in a news release on Monday that the suspect placed ads on Craigslist, which offers free classified ads, offering a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit in "The Verve" for lease.
He would allegedly produce a lease and ask for the first and last month's rent -- by certified cheque.
He would allegedly then cash the cheque and email the tenants that he had a family emergency and had to cancel the least.
The tenants allegedly never received their money back.
Michael Burley, 30, faces the following:
- Four counts of fraud under $5,000
- Four counts of false pretences under $5,000
- Breach of a conditional sentence order
Burley is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 5.
Police suspect there may be more alleged victims.
"Anyone with information, or who completed the leasing process for a unit at 120 Homewood Avenue, apartment 2907, is asked to contact police at 416-808-5104, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637)," the release said.
