Police officer caught up in online scam

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Virginia Beach Police are warning people of a Craigslist scam targeting one of their own.

Investigators say someone put a fake rental ad on the online classified site.

Police say a woman interested in renting responded to an ad posted on the popular Website. However, much to her surprise the home she was inquiring about belonged to a Virginia Beach police officer and was NOT for rent.

Police say the scammers use the fake ads to get money from you. In most of these scams, it's a real propetry, but the homeowner is not involved.

Detective Rex Hahn of the Virginia Beach Police Department said, "The victim would be the potential renter who responds, does no research and sends them money. They then go to the property and run into a conflict."

To stay safe on Craigslist use due diligence and think before you send your money. Avoid transactions that don't involve face-to-face contact.

And if something seems to good to be true, it probably is.