NANAIMO, B.C. - Nanaimo RCMP are warning residents to be careful when searching for rental homes after a local renter lost nearly $4,000 in a rental scam built on a real property’s documents.
In a release issued November 3, 2026, Nanaimo RCMP said the victim responded to an online advertisement for a Nanaimo rental property that appeared legitimate and included documents such as a rental agreement and land title information. Believing the offer was genuine, the victim sent several payments for deposits and rent through online banking.
The fraud came to light when the victim arranged to view the property and learned from the legitimate homeowner that the people advertising the rental were not authorized to rent the residence. Police have since learned that information related to the same property has been used in previous rental scam attempts.
“Finding affordable housing can be stressful, and scammers often take advantage of people who feel pressured to secure a place to live quickly,” said Inspector Donovan Tait, Operations Officer of the Nanaimo RCMP. “Taking a few extra steps to verify a rental listing and the identity of the landlord can help prevent a significant financial loss.”
How to protect yourself
- Never send a deposit or rent payment before viewing a property in person.
- Be cautious if the rent is significantly below market value or if you are being pressured to act quickly.
- Be wary of landlords who claim to be out of town or unable to meet.
- Research the property address online and look for duplicate listings.
- Verify the identity of the landlord and, when possible, confirm ownership of the property.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted by a rental scam should report it to their local police, their financial institution, and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. The Nanaimo RCMP file number is 2026-36344.
For Surrey renters, the warning travels: the same playbook, a real address, copied documents and pressure to send a deposit before a viewing, is the standard shape of rental fraud across British Columbia’s tight housing markets, where a below-market listing in Newton, Fleetwood or Guildford can draw dozens of desperate replies within hours.
(Source: Nanaimo RCMP, November 3, 2026)
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