The FBI is warning people to be careful when trying to offer or rent real estate online - because either party can be ripped off.

Here's what's happening:

A person advertises a property for rent online. A rental price is agreed upon - and the person renting the property forwards a deposit check to the landlord.

One of two things happens next. Either the check is written in excess of the amount required - and the scammer asks for the overage to be remitted back. Or the check is written for the correct amount - but then - the "renter" backs out of the rental agreement and asks for a refund.

Since the banks do not usually place a hold on the funds, the victim has
immediate access to them and believes the check has cleared. In the end, the check is found to be counterfeit and the victim is held responsible by the bank for all losses.

Another version of this cam involves real estate that is posted via classified ads.

The scammer duplicates postings from legitimate real estate websites and
reposts these ads, after altering them. Often, the scammers use the broker's real name to create a fake email, which gives the fraud more legitimacy.

When the victim sends an email through the classified advertisement website inquiring about the home, they receive a response from someone claiming to be the owner. The "owner" claims he and his wife are currently on missionary work in a foreign country. Therefore, he needs someone to rent their home while they are away. If the victim is interested in renting the home, they are asked to send money to the owner in the foreign country.

Of course, it's not the owner - the money - once sent and cashed - is gone forever.