Police are looking for a man they say is using the war on terror to dupe Miami-Dade residents into renting apartments he doesn't own.
College student Minto Jean is a business major who got a rude awaking to the pitfalls of real estate when he was recently scammed out of $1,200 in rent money.
He came to an apartment building in North Miami-Dade after he saw the ad for the rental online.
"Everything seemed like it was alright and I went to the bank and I gave him the money," said Jean.
Police say he met a man, Garry Smith, who told him the apartment was available because a Marine had to ship off to Afghanistan quickly, even leaving his furniture behind.
"He told me that a soldier got called to active duty and he had to leave right away, that's why all his stuff was still in the apartment," Jean said.
Detectives say Smith had Jean sign a lease, told him the keys would be his after the unit was painted in a few days.
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The security of the lease paperwork and a sense of patriotism caused Jean and three other victims to turn over their cash.
"It was at that point people were turning over the money in some regards because of the war," said Cora Mann, with the North Miami Beach Police. "Right now, we're very patriotic as citizens because of the war so a lot of people sink right into that."
The problem, of course, is that Smith didn't own Jean's unit or any of the others. He disappeared with the money.
Detectives say they know Smith took at least $3,700 from the victims they are aware of to date, and there could be more victims out there. They are trying to find Smith right now and get to the bottom of how he pulled it off and stop him before he does this at another location.
Jean said he learned his lesson and has some advice for others.
"You just have to be more vigilant whenever you go out for an apartment or a car or whatever, you gotta check up on anybody," said Jean.
Mann says go by the building and check with the condo association and the people who live there before giving any cash whatsoever.
You can also check the tax records in your county to make sure the person owns the property.
If you can help police find Smith, call Crimestoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
