Craigslist Rental Scam, Zillow, ETC.:
The scam works like this.  They advertise a property for rent, sometime (many times) at a rate lower than what would be normal.  They are always out of town, either deployed, going to be deployed, working, living, moving, going to be a missionary, etc.  They always communicate by text or email because they are deaf, can’t get phone reception, etc.  The reason for this is that they are uneducated foreigners and talking to them would give that away.  They ask a few random question.  And then decide that you are “perfect”.  So they tell you to send a security deposit and a month’s rent to them by untraceable means (Western union, Moneygram, etc.) and they will send you the keys, etc.  They don’t own the property, the property might not exist or if it does, it might not even be habitable.  You are then out the cash you sent them.  Always deal with someone local, who will meet you and show the property, who can prove they own the property (all property tax records are open to the public, most are on line), or deal with a reputable real estate agent from the area.
http://dc.curbed.com/2016/1/4/10850342/rental ... e-washington-dc