Facebook Marketplace Rental Scam Hits LaGrange Residents

Police warn of surge in fraudulent property listings costing victims thousands of dollars

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:23pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled rental agreement or lease document, the harsh flash lighting creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the fraudulent nature of these online rental scams.A recent wave of rental scams on Facebook Marketplace has left victims in LaGrange, Indiana out thousands of dollars, exposing the growing threat of online housing fraud.Lagrange Today

Police in LaGrange, Indiana are investigating a series of rental scams linked to Facebook Marketplace, where suspects posing as landlords or property managers have defrauded multiple victims out of thousands of dollars by collecting security deposits and first month's rent for homes they do not actually own or have permission to rent.

Why it matters

These types of online rental scams are becoming increasingly common as more people turn to platforms like Facebook Marketplace to find housing. The anonymity provided by fake identities, burner phone numbers, and untraceable payment methods makes it difficult for authorities to track down the perpetrators, leaving victims with little recourse to recover their lost funds.

The details

According to the LaGrange Police Department, investigators have handled several fraud cases over the past month involving individuals attempting to rent homes they found advertised on Facebook Marketplace. In each case, the suspect refused to meet in person and instead communicated solely through email, text messages, or phone calls. Victims were instructed to send security deposits and first month's rent through payment apps like Cash App, Apple Pay, or Venmo. Scammers often went as far as sending victims what appeared to be legitimate lease agreements, but after payments were made, victims discovered the homes were not actually for rent and were instead listed for sale by legitimate real estate companies with no knowledge of the rental arrangement.

  • Over the past month, the LaGrange Police Department has handled several fraud cases related to these rental scams.

The players

LaGrange Police Department

The local law enforcement agency investigating the rental scams and warning the public.

Detective F. Montondo

A detective with the LaGrange Police Department who is asking the public to come forward with any information related to these scams.

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What they’re saying

“Anyone with information related to these scams is asked to contact Detective F. Montondo at 706-883-2639.”

— Detective F. Montondo, Detective

What’s next

The LaGrange Police Department is urging anyone looking to rent or purchase a home to work directly with a verified property management company or licensed realtor to ensure the transaction is legitimate.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing threat of online rental scams, where criminals exploit platforms like Facebook Marketplace to defraud unsuspecting victims. It serves as a reminder for consumers to exercise caution when renting or buying property through unofficial channels and to always verify the legitimacy of any listing or landlord before sending money.