Lawyer warns of rental scams following Melissa

As Jamaicans displaced by Hurricane Melissa scramble for housing, a legal expert is warning that desperation is fuelling a surge in rental scams.

Attorney Christopher Townsend says the growing number of complaints reflects what he describes as increasing gullibility, particularly among young people, as urgent housing needs push people into rushed decisions.

"You have a very gullible society at this point," Townsend told THE STAR. "Many young people are not as astute as they should be, and that makes them easy targets."

His comments come amid confirmation from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) that it is actively investigating reports of fraudulent rental schemes, particularly in western Jamaica, where families displaced by Hurricane Melissa are urgently seeking accommodation. Police have warned that scammers are using social media to pose as landlords, collecting deposits from desperate victims before disappearing. Despite the growing concern, Townsend stressed that the law itself is not the problem.

"It is not difficult to prosecute," he said. "All you need to prove is that money was exchanged, that the person had no authority to rent the property, and that the money was not returned upon request." He explained that when a suspect deliberately makes themselves unavailable after receiving funds, it strengthens the case that there was an intention to permanently deprive the victim of their money.

According to Townsend, the spike in these cases is driven less by legal loopholes and more by circumstance. He noted that whenever there is a shortage or urgent demand, such as housing after a natural disaster, scammers move quickly to exploit the situation.

"Scamming is not something new," he said. "It's just a different targeted group using different methods."

"People are told to put down 10 per cent to secure a place, and because they're desperate, they do it," he said. "They don't want to miss out, so they take the risk."

Townsend said similar schemes have existed for years, including cases where individuals falsely claimed ownership of properties or entered into rental agreements without legal authority.

"That's what happens when people do things without the benefit of legal counsel," he said. "They don't ask the right questions." He urged Jamaicans to take simple but critical steps before handing over money, including verifying ownership and demanding proof of authority.

"If someone says they're renting a property, ask to see the title. Ask if they're the owner. If they're acting on behalf of someone else, ask for the power of attorney or agency documents," he advised. "If they can't provide that, then you know it's a scam."

He also cautioned against high-pressure tactics, noting that urgency is often used deliberately to force quick decisions.

"When someone is rushing you or telling you that you must act immediately or lose the opportunity, that's a red flag," he said. "That pressure is intentional."