The victims, who responded to Gumtree adverts for properties across London, handed over deposits but were then unable to move in.
Finding a home in London is stressful and can make people so desperate to secure a flat that they neglect to carry out checks before parting with money. That makes the rental market fertile ground for criminals, and increases the need for a system of landlord licensing that will allow flathunters to check on their landlord’s credentials before taking a property.
Please support our campaign for a national register of landlords.