LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lakeport Police Department said it has received several reports of theft through false pretenses involving rental properties.
An individual has been reported as posing as a landlord at properties in the city, informing victims that they have been approved to rent and that they need to provide them with security deposit money.
The victims are then instructed to give the suspect money online via a cash app.
One of the recently reported victims of this scam reported that they were scammed out of over $2,000, the agency said.
“We are releasing this information in the hopes that it will serve as a warning to reduce the growing number of victims of this scam. Do not let yourself or your loved ones become a victim,” the department said.
Police said it is never a good idea to provide someone, under these or similar circumstances, with money online.
If you have not been to the rental in person, met the manager/landlord in person first, or signed any sort of legitimate legal documentation for the rental you should be wary of making any online transfers of money.
If you have been a victim of a similar scam in the City of Lakeport or have any tips that may help us identify and prosecute the suspect(s) in this case please contact Officer Katie Hutchins at 707-263-5491, Extension 118 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
You can also send us a private message on our Facebook page @LakeportPolice or send us an anonymous message through Nixle on your cellular telephone by texting the words TIP LAKEPORT followed by your message to 888777.