By SALINA POST
A Salina woman fell victim to an online rental scam that cost her more than $3,000, according to the Salina Police Department.
Capt. James Feldman reported that on Saturday, March 22, a 37-year-old Salina resident was searching for rental properties on Facebook Marketplace when she found a listing for a house in the north end of Salina. The woman began communicating with a person who claimed to be a realtor representing “Blue Sky Reality.”
The scammer instructed the victim to send money as a deposit to a Chime account to secure the property. After transferring more than $3,000, the woman attempted to follow up about gaining access to the residence and obtaining the keys. According to the victim, all Facebook posts had been removed, and communication with the alleged realtor ceased.
SPD is warning the public to be cautious when conducting transactions online, especially when dealing with rental properties. SPD officers advise the public to never send money to someone without verifying their identity and to avoid paying for items or services sight unseen.
If anyone has fallen victim to a similar scam or has information that could aid in this investigation, they are encouraged to contact the Salina Police Department.