Craigslist scam targets Valley homeowners

TEMPE - A Tempe house is at the center of a scam with what looks like two victims, the renter and the owner. 

And off all streets in the city, this funny business is taking place on Sesame Street.

The man currently living in the home, Jerron Lomax, said he found the house for rent on Craigslist, and met a man who gave him the keys after signing a lease. 

Lomax said he paid $1,800 for first and last month's rent and a cleaning fee. He put the utilities in his name and thought that was the end of the story.

"I thought it was too good to be true at first," said Lomax. "The guy seemed nice, and the house was beautiful."

That is until the homeowner's realtor, Jim Carlisto, came by to check on the house and found a stranger (Lomax) living there without permission. 

Carlisto called police who said there was nothing they could do. Lomax seemed to have the right paperwork.

Carlisto's client, who moved out of state, would have to hire a lawyer and go to court. "The owner has become the victim," said Carlisto.

Carlisto is upset the utilities were easily transferable, making the eviction process even tougher for his client. 

No one seems to be able to get ahold of the mystery man from Craigslist. Lomax said nobody is answering the phone number anymore.  

But he said since he only paid two months rent, it's not like he's getting away with much.

Both parties think it will take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to sift through the mess.