Police in the West Midlands have launched a public appeal to trace a man following an alleged rental scam that left a woman out of pocket for a home deposit in Birmingham.
The Alleged Scam: A Failed Key Handover
A woman reported to West Midlands Police that she was defrauded while attempting to secure a rental property. The victim stated she had paid a deposit and arranged to meet a man at a city address on Wednesday, November 19, to collect the keys.
However, the man failed to appear at the agreed location. After being left waiting, the woman reported the incident to police as a theft.
CCTV Image Released in Police Appeal
In a bid to progress the investigation, officers have issued a CCTV image of a man they urgently wish to identify and speak to regarding the incident.
The force describes the individual as a white male with short black hair and a black beard. In the released image, he is seen wearing a plain black t-shirt.
How the Public Can Help
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “Do you know who this is? We want to speak to him in connection with the theft of money from a woman in Birmingham. A victim reported that they agreed to meet a man to rent a property on November 19. But after paying a deposit, the man failed to deliver the keys to the property.”
Investigators are urging anyone with information to come forward. You can contact the force by using the Live Chat function on their official website or by calling 101.
When getting in touch, please quote the relevant crime reference number: 20/457056/25.
This case serves as a stark reminder for anyone seeking rental accommodation to be vigilant and, where possible, to use reputable letting agents or conduct thorough checks before transferring any funds.
