Banff man charged in alleged rental scam

Banff RCMP have charged a local man with fraud in connection to an alleged rental scam.

• Renters warned of scam in Canmore

Officials say the alleged victimsresponded to an online ad about arental propertyand even met with the suspect before filing a police report.

"The victims met with a male who showed them photographs of an apartment," said RCMP in a release."The suspect required that they pay an amount of cash up front to secure the residence, in which they did. The victims became suspicious when they were not given address after meeting with the suspect."

Cpl.Chris Kosack sayspolice oftenreceive complaints during the holiday seasonfrom visitors who believe they have booked accommodations online.

Kosack says if potential renters know anyone in the townthey should ask them to check out the property first, or check with town hall to verify the address which is oftenbogus.

RCMP were able to make an arrest this time after the accused fraudster agreed to meet with one of the alleged victims to get more money.

A 26-year-old man from Banff is facing four charges of fraud.

He is set to appear in a Canmore courtroom on Jan. 5.