Two men arrested after allegedly using social media to rent properties they did not own

MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) – Two men are in Mobile Metro Jail after police say they used social media to rent a property that wasn’t owned by them.

On Tuesday, Mobile police said they responded to a home in the 2100 block of Webb Avenue after a report of property theft.

Police say it was one of several owner-occupied rental homes in Mobile. When she went to check everything, she told officers she found a person she didn’t know inside.

Investigators say they discovered that the house was listed on social media and that it was rented by someone other than the owner.

Police say that prior to this incident, the business owner found another person living in another home she owns at 200 Parkway Drive West.

Police arrested 19-year-old Tarus Wilson and 26-year-old Quentin Rogers in connection with the incidents. Jail records show Wilson and Rogers were in court Wednesday morning for a bond hearing. Rogers was granted a $5,500 bond, while Wilson’s bond has not yet been reflected in court records.

The men are accused of fraudulently renting rental properties to unsuspecting tenants in Mobile. Mobile police say in at least one case, payments of more than $1,000 were made. An MPD spokesman says tenants are typically asked to leave their homes in such situations.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, here are some telltale signs of rental fraud:

Scammers often take legitimate rental listings and turn them into their own, replacing the real owner’s contact details with their own details. Therefore, you should search the Internet carefully and check whether many offers appear.

Secondly, you should consider the price. If the rent is significantly lower than most rents in the area, this could be a red flag.

Finally, you always want to view the property before signing or paying.