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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Cait Kelly

‘Web of lies’: how scammers are taking advantage of Australia’s tight rental market

Australia Greg Leo Patterson Ross Scamwatch
Aven lost their bond and was subjected to a rental scam in Melbourne’s inner northern suburbs
‘The scammer took all of my savings – I only had around $400 in my bank account’ … Aven lost their bond in a rental scam in Melbourne. Photograph: Christopher Hopkins/The Guardian

Like many, Aven was desperately looking for a house.

Last October, the 21-year-old was frantically applying for dozens of rental properties – attending inspections, putting in applications and becoming increasingly stressed by the string of rejections.

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