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Finding student housing in Toronto seemed impossible. Getting scammed didn't help.

As rental prices rise across the country, many university and college students are struggling as they return to in-person classes. Defne Yildirim, a fourth-year student at Toronto Metropolitan University and an aspiring fashion photographer, was scammed while trying to secure an apartment on Facebook. This is her story.

...After weeks without any leads or responses for Toronto housing, I finally saw a listing for a one-bedroom unit at Yonge and Bloor. The post said the rent was $1,000 with amenities and utilities included. I checked out the person who made the post and saw a profile picture of a middle-aged white man, along with a cover photo of him and his granddaughter.

The man went by the name John. When I messaged him for more information, he responded promptly with photos and videos of the space. The video offered a walk-through of the apartment, which had huge windows, a modern bathroom and a workstation. It was everything I was looking for.

I spoke to John for three weeks. He sent me a contract within the first two days, but I was reluctant to sign without vetting him first. I didn’t know the contract he sent over was not an Ontario lease agreement. It stipulated my monthly rent, along with vague information about security deposits and amenities. At this point, my dad generously offered to pay the deposit and first month’s rent to secure the apartment.

I asked John if one of my friends in Toronto could view the place, but he said he couldn’t show the apartment because he was in Alberta. Instead, he told me, he would give me a discount of $200 on the deposit, and that he would mail the keys to me in Turkey as soon as the document was signed...

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