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New scam targets Moore, Oklahoma City tornado victims

Scammers who leach off the misery of others compound the tragedy of a disaster like the May 20 tornado in Moore and Oklahoma City.

Now, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt has issued a warning about the latest scam which targets the victims and those who would help them.

The scammers pull home sale information off of legitimate real estate websites, then offer the properties as rentals on Craigslist.

They ask the potential renter to wire money for the property, then disappear.

The scam increased significantly after last week's tornadoes because of all the people looking to rent while they repair or rebuild their storm-ravaged homes.

Pruitt's office tells KRMG "the Oklahoma Board of Realtors notified the attorney general's office Tuesday it received a complaint from a family in Florida who thought they had rented property in the Oklahoma City area for family members who lost their home."

The A.G.'s Office went on to say "a review of rental listings on Craigslist revealed several fraudulent rental properties. Oklahomans should not wire money to rent property, according to the public protection unit in the attorney general's office. It is best to see the property and make the monetary transaction in person."

If you think you've been targeted by a scam, you can visit the Oklahoma Attorney General's webpage to report it.

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