A student relocating to Auckland is disappointed that the first “welcome” into the city is losing $1000 to an online rental scam.
Angela Sun arrived in Auckland last Thursday, only to find herself almost homeless after being ghosted by the person she’d paid $1000 to for securing a CBD apartment.
Sun’s experience comes as scams rose by 16% over the past year, with those involving buying, selling or donating goods online being the largest category, according to CERT NZ.
CERT NZ said $3.9 million were lost to this category of scams in 2021, which includes rental scams.
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“I thought Auckland isn’t welcoming, and maybe I should just get back to Dunedin,” said the 22-year-old, who had been looking forward to starting a criminology degree at the Auckland University of Technology.
Sun, who’d earlier posted on a Facebook community group seeking accommodation advice, was approached by someone offering her a one-bedroom apartment for $250 a week, including expenses.
LAWRENCE SMITH/Stuff
Angela Sun who’s just moved up to Auckland is the victim of a rental scam which cost her $1000.
After signing a tenancy agreement and being shown videos and photos of the apartment, Sun paid $1000 to a Kiwibank account.
Sun said she thought she got a good deal…
