Worcester Police Investigate Craigslist Apartment Scam

(NECN: Katie Daly) - Worcester police say they're investigating a crime this week that started on the popular website Craigslist. A 27-year-old man was arrested for allegedly lying about an apartment listing.

Worcester police say that dozens of properties listed on Craigslist are part of a rental scam.

Police arrested 27-year-old Daniel Moura after he was allegedly caught posing as a landlord.

Police say Moura went by the name of Jared Stevens, he posted rentals online and tried to collect a deposit. police say they learned about the scam after Moura showed a woman one of his listings in Worcester's Vernon Hill neighborhood.

Police say the suspect even had the keys to the apartment and gave he woman a tour

The woman realized it was a scam when she stopped by the property a second time by herself, and met the real landlord. The owner told her the property wasn't for rent and they called the police.

Nancy Cahalen is the president of the Better Business Bureau of central New England. She says people need to be careful when dealing with Craigslist even when its seems legitimate.

Worcester police are still investigating. They say there are many unanswered questions. Police are looking into how Maura got keys to the apartment.

They also want to know how long the scam has been in place and how many people may have fallen victim to the scheme.

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