Scammers are creating fake adverts for property rentals, police have warned.

The adverts are placed on local social media and web classified sites using information and pictures from old adverts where the properties are already sold or rented out.

After a brief online or over-the-phone conversation, the scammers take a deposit, which police say will never be returned.

The money is often paid into online banks that only exist for a period of time or other accounts used to direct money elsewhere quickly and it is difficult to get funds back.

A police spokesman said: ’We are continuing to see thieves/scammers create fake adverts for property rentals.

’The public should be careful before they respond. We would advise that site visits with the vendor to check the property beforehand should be done before monies are exchanged.

’Do checks before you send any money to bank accounts. Are the accounts on island?

’If not, do some more checks on where the funds are going. Google a bank code checker and find out where the bank is based.’

A police spokesperson added: ’This particular scam has been going on for some time now.

’It’s been happening ever since the property market became more active again as the pandemic eased off.’

The police also recommended that the admins and owners of websites should consider improved checks of those placing adverts and asking for the use of Manx numbers only as contact points.

The statement added: ’We recommend that no monies are exchanged until the properties are viewed.’