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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation is warning homeowners and prospective renters in South Carolina of a new scam.

FBI Special Agent Dave Thomas says potential victims are being contacted by an individual in a foreign country by either email or phone who asks them to send money to an unknown third person in an overseas location.

Thomas says the perpetrators are searching for homes for sale or rent on the internet. They copy pictures and descriptions of the residences, and place them on the marketing site Craigslist,

Thomas warns renters to never wire money to any unknown person. He says to only conduct business with people in person and to view any rental property themselves. Thomas asks those with complaints about internet crime to contact the FBI at www.ic3.gov .