Salla Vaahersalo recently learned that her vacation home in Ruka was being advertised for rent on social media without her permission, under false pretenses. The fraudulent posts utilized manipulated images and unrealistic pricing to attract potential renters, which deceived some individuals into thinking they were securing a legitimate rental. The issue came to light when Vaahersalo's real estate agent notified her about the suspicious listing circulating within local rental groups on Facebook.

Upon discovering the fake advertisement herself in the Ruka rental holiday group, Vaahersalo noted that it had since been removed from the platform. The fraudster cleverly used exterior photos extracted from the original sales listing of the property and created a mirror image of the house to make the rental offer seem authentic. Although Vaahersalo is currently utilizing one side of the duplex, the other side was listed for sale and for rental purposes, making it an appealing target for scammers.

This incident serves as a cautionary tale, as Vaahersalo mentioned she had previously fallen victim to a scam. Her experience underscores the importance of vigilance and due diligence in the online marketplace, particularly for individuals renting or leasing out properties, as fraudulent activities can lead to significant financial losses and disillusionment for unsuspecting renters.