landlords victims of moneygram scam

Landlords, like tenants, can become targeted in the moneygram scam after placing an ad in popular online mediums such as the gumtree, craigslist, or even published classifieds such as the Loot.
When ad has been published fraudster contacts the landlord through email. He claims to be overseas coming to the country in a few months time. It could to study or business reasons where the tennent will be employment at a firm in the locality.
He expresses the need to secure accomodation, usually the writing is written in a poor gramatical style, and that he'll be arriving to the country in the near future. Since great difficulty in securing accomodation would like to pay up front to secure accomodation thus attempting to lure the victim into the moneygram scam. The upfront payment will be for the duration of stay even though he has failed to see the accomodation. No contact number would provided even if requested during the communication.
If the victim agrees asks for personal details like the name and address so cheque can be sent confirm the tenancy. The cheque will not be sent by himself by a relative or employer. He would suggest experencing difficulties accessing funds at his current location. Would ask permission for associate to send an amount greater then the required rent and if the landlord could send him the difference.
If all parties agree a cheque will arrive for the amount stated earlier in the converstion. The landlord is requested to send the excess balance to him via Moneygram Transfer.
Once the cheque clears landlord sends the finances to the incoming tennent. The cheque will, however, be refused weeks later and the bank will take back the amount deposited.
The scammer received funds he is no longer tracable dissapears into thin air.
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