Crimeline: Facebook property scam
Police are warning property and room renters locally to be wary with an increasing number of scammers targeting Facebook sites, like Facebook Marketplace, locally.
Queenstown Community and Youth Constable Amanda Shute says people should be aware and not make any deposits or payments on rental properties or rooms without meeting the landlord and viewing the property in person.
“We’re aware of online property fraud in which people are advertising accommodation for rent on local Facebook sites,” she says.
“The rental scammer who is posing as the landlord will often use an excuse, such as being out of the country, and only communicate online over a messaging service or email.”
They then send the potential renter I.D and official looking documents which they ask the renter to sign. “Victims are then being asked to pay a deposit or bond into a bank account, or pay via crypto currency, before the person is able to view the property. They’ll often ask for more money once they’ve received the first payment.”
Police are urging those looking for accommodation to view the property in person to prove that it’s legitimate and never transfer money to an individual or organisation they can’t verify as legitimate.
“Essentially, people have been paying for a room or often a house only to turn up and find it’s already occupied and not up for rent,” Shute says.
Appeal for witnesses to late night assaults
Police have been called to two late night assaults in the Queenstown CBD during the past week or so and they’re appealing to witnesses to come forward and help with enquiries.
On 18 April about 2.40am a male was allegedly assaulted in Cow Lane by an unknown suspect. Police weren’t notified until later that day when the victim came to the Queenstown Police Station. “We’re appealing for witnesses to come forward and speak to Police so this suspect can be identified,” Shute says. The victim involved had to seek medical treatment for minor injuries as a result.
On 24 April, at 12.40am, Police were called to the CBD after reports of another alleged assault on a male. “It’s believed he was head butted in a Searle Lane bar,” Shute says.
The victim was taken to Lakes District Hospital for medical assistance. Enquiries are continuing to identify the suspect. Police would like to speak with anyone who witnessed this assault.
Crash driver left the scene
Police are also trying to locate a male driver in his early 20s with long hair, with either a French or Belgian accent, after they were called to a vehicle collision on Park Street around 1.15am on 23 April.
“A witness who was passing by said they’d observed a vehicle crash into two parked cars causing significant damage,” Shute says. “They checked to see if the driver was okay, and then called Police.” When Police arrived, the driver had left the scene. Enquiries are continuing.
Police were also called after a vehicle flipped onto its roof on Edinburgh Drive on 21 April at 5.55am. As a result, a 29-year-old Wānaka male was breath tested, returning an alleged 976mcg/l of breath, Shute says. He will face charges of operating a vehicle carelessly and driving with a breath alcohol level over 400mcg/l of breath. The driver had allegedly driven into the side of the road and up onto the bank, causing the vehicle to flip onto its roof. He will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 24 May.
Calling all new Police recruits
Meanwhile, anyone interested in a possible career in the Police is urged to attend a recruitment seminar at the Queenstown Police Station at 7pm on Wednesday, 8 May. Shute says anyone 18 and over interested in joining the Police is welcome to attend.
