Apartment seekers told to be wary of Craigslist scam | News

BANGOR, Maine (AP) - Bangor police have issued a warning about an apparent scam targeting people looking for apartments advertised on Craigslist.

Police say a woman last week replied to an ad and received a call back from a number that later appeared to be from Nigeria. She told police the man said he wanted the first and last month's rent, but quickly told her that $200 would do if she could send it to him quickly.

Officials say the woman was suspicious and called a real estate agent friend, who told her that he owned the house she had seen on Craigslist but was listing it through a reputable real estate company.

Police say the woman did the right thing by not wiring or charging money to a credit card for the apartment.