Police inspecting a property scam have said that they are searching for two Asian men, who pretended to be landlord, and took bond money as well as rent in advance from probable tenants of Auckland apartments.

When tenants came to get the keys of the apartment for which they paid, they realized that they had been conned and duped by the so called landlords, as they went absconding.

One victim, Fadi Alhaddadin, made advance payment of the rent of $1480 but took a photograph of the suspected conman, which has been distributed by police.

Detective Sergeant, James Robson said that the police now required identifying him even though because the snap was so clear that the man may have escaped from the nation.

Properties were publicized in various property websites, which included TradeMe, Gum Tree and Home Ads and included a pre-paid cellphone number, which was not easy to track.

Mr. Robson informed that it was not intelligent to give away cash, and people ought to get a proper identification or a bank account number before make any payment for rent beforehand or a bond.

He said that the victims could also have rejected to make payment until they received their keys.

The second lawbreaker is described as 25-35 years old, plump, with a round face. He had severe spots, braces on his teeth, and wore spectacles.