Man accused of renting out residence he didn’t own
A Fort Myers man has been charged with fraud and grand theft for utilizing the popular internet site, Craig’s List, to rent a residence that was not owned by him to unsuspecting victims.
Rickey Barley, 58, was first arrested on Nov. 27, 2009, for burglary to the residence located at 3401 New South Province Blvd, #3, Fort Myers, in the Provincetown Community. Deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office had responded to a reported fire at this address. During the course of the investigation, probable cause was developed to charge Rickey Barley with burglary. The Lee County fire marshal conducted the investigation.
As deputies were completing the report for the burglary investigation, deputies learned Rickey Barley had attempted to rent this condo on Craig’s list on the Internet, even though he had no ownership interest or legal right to make such a transaction.
During the course of the fraud investigation, detectives discovered Rickey Barley had utilized Craig’ List to rent the property and obtain money from 10 victims. By the time detectives discovered the fraud, Barley had received a combined total of $16,500, authorities said. A few of the victims had met with Rickey Barley to view the condo before payment of the deposit. Some of the victims did not realize they were defrauded until contacted by detectives.
Barley was arrested and charged with conducting a scheme to defraud, eight counts of grand theft, and one count of grand theft from a person over 65 years of age.
If anyone believes they may have been a victim of this fraud, they are urged to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 239-477-1000 and ask to speak with a member of the Economic Crimes Unit.