Tenants conned by bogus landlords

Bogus landlords have been breaking into empty council houses and "renting" them to unsuspecting tenants.

In a scam that has cost victims thousands of pounds, the conmen enter the properties, change the locks and then advertise them in newspapers.

Prospective tenants are asked for advance rent and a deposit - before the landlord disappears and cuts off his mobile number.

Hackney council said it was aware of four cases but believed the deception was widespread across the capital.

In one case, three separate people were conned into parting with more than ?1,000 for the same property in Stoke Newington.

Tony Johannson, who lost ?1,050, said: "I am devastated by what has happened. My girlfriend and I were looking forward to moving into our new home. Now we are more than ?1,000 out of pocket."

Jamie Carswell, Hackney's cabinet member for housing, said: "These fraudsters move very quickly. In all the Hackney cases, the flats have only been empty for a matter of days before they break in and change the locks."