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The Montreal police are seeking victims of a man arrested this week on charges he carried out a series of rental housing frauds.
Van Lanh Vuong, 43, was arrested Thursday. Police say they have reason to believe he may have defrauded other people they aren’t yet aware of.
Police say Vuong would post online housing ads and offer rental units at lower prices. After people visited the apartment, police say, Vuong would have them sign a fake lease and demand a deposit equivalent to one or two months’ rent. The apartment hunters would only realize they had been defrauded when it came time to take possession of the unit.
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“The suspect allegedly used several different Montreal apartments to carry out his plan. Each time, he presented himself as the owner of the premises,” police said Friday.
“This scheme enabled him to con numerous people and amass a large sum of money.”
Vuong appeared at the Montreal courthouse on Thursday to face charges of fraud over $5,000 and breaking and entering. He will remain in custody until his case returns to court.
The police warn that fraudsters are using the current housing shortage to scam potential tenants by posting ads for apartments they don’t own or that simply don’t exist.
Anyone who has been a victim or knows someone who may have been a victim of Vuong is asked to contact their local police station or call 911. Anyone wishing to provide information anonymously and confidentially may also do so by contacting Info-Crime Montréal at 514-393-1133.
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