Charmaine Roy, a 48 year old Saanich woman has been arrested for defrauding potential renters out of money.

Saanich Police began investigating Roy at the beginning of December 2009 after receiving a complaint from a potential renter who had paid a damage deposit on a suite being advertised by Roy.  When it came time to move in though, the renter got word from Roy, via an e-mail, saying that there had been a suicide in the suite and that it couldn’t be occupied.  The renter did not get her damage deposit back.  This sparked a police investigation which has, to date, identified 42 victims of this scam with 27 rental agreements being signed.

Each potential renter responded to an ad posted by Roy on Craigslist, an on-line advertising site.  Many of the renters went to the house, saw the basement suite and had face-to-face contact with Roy. And every renter paid, in cash, a damage deposit or first months rent.  The amount paid ranged from $200 to $950.

Just before the renter was scheduled to move in, they received an e-mail and sometimes a phone call stating that the suite was no longer available.  The reason for this varied from there being a suicide in it which police were investigating, to there being a fire, to there being a “swine” flu outbreak in the suite.

Prior to police involvement, five renters did receive their money back after confronting Roy.  The vast majority though, have not.  Several have been given excuses by Roy as to why they can’t get their money back.  Again, these reasons are varied including that there was fraudulent activity in the suite which now prevents the money from being returned, and that the RCMP have frozen Roy’s accounts as a result of this investigation (the RCMP has not done this, nor has any police agency).

On December 30th, 2009 Saanich Police arrested Roy from her rental home at 2110 Ferndale Road.  She was later released with conditions prohibiting her from advertising to rent or lease any property, and prohibiting her from accepting any money from any lease or rental property.  She is scheduled to appear before the Courts on January 21st to face 9 counts of Fraud Under $5000.

Investigators with Saanich Police are continuing to sift through complaints and are receiving new ones every day.  With this in mind, there is the potential of more charges being laid against Roy.

Anyone who may have been defrauded by Roy with this rental scam, can call the Saanich Police at 250-475-4321.

(09-30186)