RENTAL FRAUD PROBE: Man 'makes sex noises down phone'

The woman - who does not want to be named - said she alerted Action Fraud after having dealings with a 'private landlord who went under the name of DP Properties' on Facebook.

She told how they 'seemed legitimate' and asked her for a holding deposit of £250 after she found a 'perfect' property in Newbold.

The woman - who described herself as a 'trusting person' - said: "We were told the house would be ready in four weeks.

"After sending the money over, his Facebook page was deleted.

"When you ring him he just counts down the phone, says 'I love you' or makes sex noises.

"The bank can't reverse the payment.

"He has conned six other people out of £2,000.

"He's not giving the money back and he can't provide access for the houses.

"I'm trying to warn other people before they make the same mistake."

An Action Fraud spokesman said the case is 'currently being assessed by the City of London Police's National Fraud Intelligence Bureau'.

In an invoice sent to the woman, DP Properties gives its address as Prospect Place, Derby.

The Derbyshire Times phoned DP Properties but nobody answered.

We sent an email to the address they put on the woman’s invoice - but the message bounced back.

If you have been a victim of rental fraud, call police on 101.