Rental Scammer Uses Mom's House

Washington County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a man for placing false ads on Craigslist to rent his mother’s home. Deputies started investigating 40-year-old Bradley Samuel Philan, of Beaverton, after family members called the Sheriff’s Office to report his crimes.

Philan’s family had already reimbursed two separate victims more than $7,000 from the rental scams.

Philan told investigators he would place ads on Craigslist for his mother’s house on SW 172nd Ave in the Aloha area of unincorporated Washington County. He would then offer his victims walkthroughs of the property and collect a deposit and first month’s rent, often totaling a few thousand dollars. Philan would sometimes refund his victim’s money back, but more often, he would gamble the money away.

Most of Philan’s victims paid him electronically using the “Square” or “Venmo” apps.

Philan has been lodged in the Washington County Jail on a charge of Aggravated Theft in the first degree and six counts of first degree Theft by Deception.

Investigators believe Philan scammed his victims out of more than $13,000 since the beginning of May. They also believe there are more victims who have not contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to report the fraud. If you have any information about Philan or believe you may be one of his victims, please contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office’s non-emergency dispatch number: 503-629-0111.

Photo below: Ad that was used in the scam