A man has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of fraud after he falsely advertised his flat for rent and conned numerous victims out of hundreds of pounds.
Kyle Jackson, 31, of Hart Close, Wilton, repeatedly posted online adverts for his flat over the past year, promising to rent it out to unsuspecting individuals. He arranged viewings with victims, during which he took an average of £600 as a deposit and £600 for the first month’s rent. Payments were often made in cash or bank transfers to a relative’s account, with Jackson providing an email or handwritten receipt.
After taking the money, Jackson would then refuse to rent the property, offering various excuses and promising to return the money “next week,” but never following through.
The victims, who had been left out of pocket and in some cases struggling to find accommodation, reported Jackson to the police. Following his arrest, he appeared at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on 30 January 2025, where he pleaded guilty to nine counts of fraud by false representation.
PC Bues from the Salisbury Response Team, who was involved in the investigation, said: “Jackson is a prolific fraudster who has scammed several victims out of money that they needed to secure a roof over their head. His actions have had serious, real-world consequences – one of the victims was made homeless as a result.”
PC Bues continued, “There can be no justification for this, and we are now working to see if the victims can receive compensation.”
Jackson will be sentenced on 12 March 2025.
PC Bues also urged people to take extra care when renting a flat or room. “Please make sure you do your due diligence on where you are renting and who you are renting from. Use reputable platforms like local estate agents or trusted rental websites that have basic verification for adverts. Always view the property in person first, and avoid sending money before you’ve seen it,” she advised. “If you have concerns, notify your bank immediately and never pay in cash.”
Wiltshire Police are continuing to investigate whether there are further victims of Jackson’s fraudulent activity.
