A man posing as a landlord has been sentenced after scamming five families out of thousands of pounds in a fraudulent rental scheme. The scam, described as “cruel,” saw the man collect deposits from potential tenants for properties he did not own. His actions left the victims without the homes they were promised and out of pocket, leading to his eventual prosecution. The case has drawn attention to the dangers of online rental scams, particularly on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, where many people search for affordable rental homes.
Gullriaz Tajpuri, aged 49, was found guilty of using Facebook Marketplace to advertise two properties for rent in Nottingham that were not in his possession. Tajpuri set up the listings in a way that made them appear legitimate, attracting multiple prospective tenants looking for a place to live. He offered virtual tours of the properties, convincing the victims that everything was genuine. Tajpuri received deposits from five victims, totalling £3,130, as part of his fraudulent scheme.
The Nottingham Crown Court heard that all five victims had agreed to rent a three-bedroom property from Tajpuri in 2021. He provided each of them with a virtual tour of the property, adding to the illusion that he was a legitimate landlord. Four of the victims paid him a deposit of £695 each, while the fifth person handed over £350. After receiving the deposits, Tajpuri stopped communicating with the victims, leaving them without a rental home and no way to recover their money.
The court was told that Tajpuri’s actions caused significant financial and emotional distress to the families involved. Many had been urgently looking for housing and had trusted Tajpuri with their money, only to find out later that they had been deceived. The fraudulent scheme highlighted the risks of renting properties through online platforms without thoroughly verifying the legitimacy of the landlord or the property.
Tajpuri’s sentencing brings some justice for the victims, but it also serves as a reminder for others to be cautious when renting properties online. Authorities are urging people to be wary of deals that seem too good to be true and to always verify the identity of landlords before handing over any money. The case has underscored the importance of taking extra precautions when dealing with online property rentals to avoid falling victim to similar scams.
An investigation was launched after one of the victims, a woman in her 30s, reported the rental scam to Nottinghamshire Police. She had planned to move into the property with her partner and young daughter just before Christmas, but the scam left them without a home. The woman told detectives that the experience had left her feeling “depressed” and deeply upset.
In her statement to the court, she explained how devastating the situation was for her family. “Before Christmas 2021, our daughter was so excited to move into the new home. But I had to tell her there was no new home. It was embarrassing when friends and family kept asking if we’d moved yet,” she said, recalling how difficult it was to face the reality of the scam.
Another victim, a man in his 40s, shared how the scam had left him and his wife homeless. After falling for the fraudulent rental scheme, they were forced to borrow money to purchase a trailer tent to live in. He described the situation as “cruel” and said it had caused significant hardship for his family.
The court heard how both victims were left in distress after paying deposits for a property that never existed. The scam not only disrupted their lives but also led to financial struggles as they tried to recover from the losses.
The third victim recounted her difficult experience, explaining that she was going through a divorce when she fell victim to Tajpuri’s scam. She said he blocked her phone number when she tried to reach him about a move-in date. Describing the ordeal as “awful,” she told the court how the scam added to the stress she was already facing.
A fourth set of victims, a married couple, were also financially hit. After losing £695 in the scam, they had to borrow money to cover their living costs. Meanwhile, the fifth victim and her husband expressed their anger and frustration, saying they felt “disgusted” by Tajpuri’s cruel actions after losing £350.
Tajpuri, from Nottingham, pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation for fraudulently advertising properties and taking money from five victims. On 25 September, he was sentenced to 13 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, at Nottingham Crown Court.
Detective Constable Harminder Rai-Mottram, who led the investigation, commented on the case after the sentencing. “Tajpuri is a heartless fraudster who caused significant financial harm and emotional pain to several families, especially in the lead-up to Christmas. His actions were particularly devastating as they took place during the Covid pandemic, adding to the victims’ stress and hardship during an already difficult time,” she said.
Detective Constable Harminder Rai-Mottram emphasised that the sentence given to Tajpuri sends a clear message that fraud will not go unpunished. She expressed hope that Tajpuri will use this as an opportunity to reconsider his actions and turn his life around.
She also used the case as a reminder to the public to remain cautious when using platforms like Facebook Marketplace and other online services. With the property rental market being particularly competitive, many people may feel pressured into paying deposits quickly to secure a property.
However, she warned that this is not a safe approach and advised potential renters to always view a property in person before transferring any money. This can help avoid falling victim to similar scams.
Download NOW
4 Simple Steps To Becoming Wealthy Through Property