Elaborate rent rip-off hits the city

A FOREIGN student who arrived in the Capital a week ago has spoken of how she has already been conned out of nearly £1400 in two separate rent scams.

• Sofia Jiang

Sofia Jiang was the victim of an elaborate property fraud which saw her hand over 300 to a teenage conman who claimed to own more than 60 properties across Edinburgh.

In reality he had rented the upmarket Holyrood apartment, which overlooks Arthur's Seat, for just two nights last weekend and advertised it online as though it were his own.

Sofia, 20, from Bologna in Italy, had collected the keys at the top-floor apartment and believed the well-presented man, who claimed he had inherited the property portfolio from his father, was legitimate.

Another woman, a well-known Edinburgh property developer, was also snared by the scam for 1200.

In December, before Sofia arrived in Edinburgh and was searching for a flat online, she was tricked out of 800 by a woman claiming to own a flat in the Grassmarket, which she has since reported to police.

The Holyrood scam only unfolded when Sofia arrived with her suitcases and used her keys to enter the flat on Monday afternoon - only to discovered the real owner inside.

A short time later, while police were still searching the flat for clues, the second victim walked in with her daughter and several friends and discovered they had also been scammed. Sofia, who is studying chemistry at Bologna University and visiting Edinburgh University for a semester, said: "I couldn't believe what had happened.

"After the first time I'd been so careful and waited until I got to Edinburgh to find a flat I could check out in person.

"When I opened the door on Monday and saw the shock of the owner I just thought 'not again'. It's a lot of money I've lost and I'm just a student."

Sofia has been forced to spend 150 staying in two bed and breakfasts in Newington since she arrived and has still not found a place to live.

She added: "I've not had the best experience so far but on the plus side I guess my time in Edinburgh can only get better."

The owner of the apartment, who asked not to be named, told the Evening News that she recognised the conman and was able to give police his name.

He has since been reported to the procurator fiscal, although he has not yet been charged.

She said: "The guy got in touch on Saturday night and wanted to book my flat, which I rent out, last minute.

"A two-bedroom flat for one person was strange but he said money wasn't a problem. He paid 120 and was due another 110 for the two nights, which he said he'd transfer later.

"When I went in on Monday afternoon everything seemed fine but the keys were gone.

"I heard a knock at the door and I thought it would be him with the keys, but it was Sofia.

"I called the police and they came over and checked everything out. There was nothing missing, although he had left his pants and socks there so I know he stayed there himself.

"While the police were there a second woman with her daughter and a couple of friends turned up. I got off very lightly. Together the two victims lost 1500."

A police spokesman said: "A 19-year-old man has been reported to the procurator fiscal in connection with the alleged fraudulent renting of a property in Edinburgh."