PORTLAND The Portland housing rental market is tight, so when a home recently came on the rental market for half of what it normally would cost, renters tried to snap it up.

The rental listing said the 3,200-square-foot Southeast Portland home was renting for just $800 a month. According to the listing, the owners were headed out of the country for five years and wanted someone to take care of the property.

The problem is, the house wasn t actually for rent. Instead, it was part of a scam that asked potential renters to send scammers a $600 deposit.

Gary Horton is a realtor who was trying to sell the property, not rent it. Horton contacted KGW after he learned of the bogus listing.

The listing contained all of the same information and photos Horton was using to try and sell the house.

Horton said he contacted the police, who are looking into the case. For now, he posted a sign at the house warning that it is not actually for rent.

KGW Unit 8 reportersChris Willis andAshley Korslien contributed to this report.

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