Gardaí in Dublin are investigating a rent fraud in which two houses were illegally sublet to multiple tenants.
At least 16 people were taken in by the fraud, paying up to €2,600 in deposits and advance rent each for the houses at Portobello, on the south side of the city, and Beaumont, on the north side.
It is not clear whether the same fraudster was involved in both cases.
The same methods were used in each house, but descriptions given by the victims of the fraud vary, except that in both cases the man involved is said to have a Northern accent.
The person or persons have since disappeared with the proceeds, €40,000 or more.
Gardaí say that in Portobello a two-bedroom house in Martin Street was let by the owner to a male tenant in August. Some days later an advertisement appeared in the Evening Herald offering the same property for rent.
A mobile phone number was used, and nine separate inquirers handed over €2,600 each to the man who showed them around.
He is described as in his mid-20s, about 5'11" in height. He may own a silver Opel Vectra or Vauxhall Cavalier. Gardaí at Kevin Street, tel 01-6669400 are investigating.
In Beaumont, a three-bedroom house at Elm Mount Road was let in similar circumstances. This time, between up to nine would-be tenants fell victim to the fraudster, who is described as around 40, 5'7" in height, stocky with dark hair, and again a Northern accent.
The Beaumont inquiry is being handled by Clontarf Garda station, tel 01-6664800.
