For the passerby: Know the signs of a house/apartment/vacation rental scam. Is it hard? No, very easy. You only have to know one thing: Money. In particular the method of payment. If you are asked to use a cash wire transfer service (Western Union, Money Gram, etc.) to pay- it's a scam. You are sending CASH. Untraceable cash that can be picked up anywhere in the world. NEVER use these service for a business transaction, internet purchase, or where you do not personally know the receiver of the money.