Palm Beach's hottest deal on Craigslist turns out to be a scam, one arrested

PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A prime location in one of the wealthiest zip codes in the U.S. turned into the setting of a rental scam that left two unsuspecting victims out thousands of dollars.

An accused Craigslist con artist lured renters to a Palm Beach apartment with a deal too good to resist—little did the victims know they'd receive keys to a scam.

The apartment located on Chilean Avenue, just steps from Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, was listed for $5,200 a month on Zillow. But a Craigslist ad offering the same property for just $950 a month caught the attention of two people looking for a bargain. They thought they’d hit the jackpot—until it all came crashing down.

On February 4, the apartment’s owner received a call from one of her tenants saying they had just met the "new tenants" at apartment four. The only problem? The owner hadn’t leased that unit to anyone, according to the criminal probable cause affidavit.

According to Palm Beach Police (PBPD), the scammer behind the ruse, 38-year-old Vickenson Ambroise, posed as a “family friend” of the landlord and convinced the victims to meet him for a tour of the apartment. Ambroise even handed them keys to the property, leading them to believe the deal was legitimate.

The unit’s actual owner had been showing it sporadically and had left a key inside with the door unlocked, explaining to police that it was for handymen to access for maintenance.

One of the victims told police she found the Craigslist listing posted by “Chris,” who claimed to be connected to the landlord. She toured the apartment on February 2 with her daughter and ‘Chris,’ who had a key. She agreed to rent it and sent ‘Chris’—later identified as Ambroise—$1,400 via Zelle. She was also told she would soon have a roommate.

The second victim’s experience followed the same pattern. She met Ambroise at the unit on February 3, just as the first tenant was moving in, and agreed to rent a bedroom, believing the price was too good to pass up.

The victims transferred the money—either via Zelle or in cash—and were left thinking they had secured a dream rental. However, when the actual landlord learned of the situation, the scam was uncovered.

PBPD officers responded to the landlord’s call and informed the women they had been scammed. Both later picked Ambroise out of a photo lineup.

Police have not confirmed exactly how Ambroise obtained the keys, but the arrest affidavit shows the apartment door had been left unlocked for showings and maintenance, with a spare key inside.

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David Serle, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Services and former President of the Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors, offers advice for avoiding scams like this one.

“Upfront payments through digital methods—whether it's Venmo, Zelle, gift cards, money orders, or wire transfers—should raise red flags," Serle warns. "If something seems unusual, take the time to research and verify before sending any money."

Serle recommends always checking property records, using licensed realtors, and verifying the landlord’s identity before transferring any money.

“Unfortunately, these days we have to be cynical,” Serle says. “It’s crucial to be cautious and protect yourself by ensuring you’ve done your due diligence.”

Ambroise has been arrested on one count of fraudulent sale or lease of property, two counts of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, two counts of grand theft, two counts of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and one count of fraudulent use of personal identification. He is currently being held in the Palm Beach County Jail on a combined bond of over $30,000.

If you’re renting online, take the time to double-check all the details to avoid falling victim to scams like this one.

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