In the midst of a housing crisis in Quebec, an owner denounces the fact that the photos of her condo for sale were fraudulently used in a classified ad to rent it, on social networks.
A week ago, Johanne Doucet was very surprised to receive a visit from a young Spanish-speaking couple, interested in renting their apartment. However, this one had been on sale for almost a month, by the agency Via Capitale Sélect.
It’s that an alleged fraudster, named “Rolland Palliet” on his Facebook profile, illegally used the photos of Mr.me Doucet on the brokerage site, to advertise it on Marketplace.
“I couldn’t believe it, […] I told them to be careful that it was a fraud, not to pay money to anyone, ”explains Mr.me Sweet. “They left empty-handed, the poor,” she continues.
PHOTO DIDIER DEBUSSCHÈRE
The latter is not able to confirm whether the couple had given a deposit to the fraudster, because of their difficulty in expressing themselves in French.
The real estate agent responsible for the sale of M’s propertyme Doucet said she was equally surprised by the scheme, which she had never heard of before. “He even copied our property description text,” denounces Sylviane Marguier, agent at Via Capitale Sélect.
Between California and Baie-Comeau
Contacted by The newspaper, the alleged fraudster, assures us that the accommodation is still available and fully furnished, for the sum of $900 per month.
After a few exchanges, in which he mentions being in California for professional reasons, he requires several personal details, including the name, age, nationality, address and income of the future tenant.
He also explains that his son, who lives in Baie-Comeau, is available to come and show the apartment, and thereby have the lease signed at the same time. Mr. Palliet, as he presents himself, thus requires the sum of a first month’s rental from potential tenants.
Also in Gatineau
In addition, Mr. Palliet also announces a second rental unit, at the same price, in the Gatineau sector. The photos of the condo were also stolen from the site of a real estate broker, this time, that of Marty Waite.
Joined by The newspaper, the broker, Nick Chénier, was flabbergasted, especially since he had just sold the property in question. Mr. Chénier, who also denounces this practice, immediately reported the announcement on the social network.
The Quebec City Police Service claims to be aware of this fraudulent scheme, claiming to have received a complaint of the kind last February.
– With the collaboration of Marc-André Gagnon