Q: Loser rented me an apartment in 2019-23 that does not belong to him.What to do now?

A: I'm sorry to hear that you were the victim of a rental scam. That must be an incredibly stressful and upsetting situation. Here are some steps I would recommend taking:

1. Gather all documentation related to the rental, including any lease agreements, rent receipts, written communications, etc. This evidence will be important.

2. File a police report about the fraudulent rental. Provide them with all the evidence you have.

3. If you paid the scammer via check or electronic transfer, contact your bank to see if the charges can be reversed. Report that the payments were made to a scammer.

4. Notify the actual property owner (if you are able to identify and reach them) about the situation. They may be unaware their property was rented fraudulently.

5. Find out what tenant rights you have in this situation. Contact a local tenant union, housing authority, or legal aid clinic for guidance. You may be entitled to some protections even though the "landlord" was not legitimate.

6. Start looking for a new place to live immediately in case you are required to vacate the fraudulently rented unit.

7. Consider contacting the media and telling your story to warn others in the community about the scam and scammer.

8. Look into whether you can take legal action against the scammer, either criminally or civilly, to recover your losses. An attorney can advise you.

Remember, you are the victim here and this is not your fault. Focus on extricating yourself safely from the situation and protecting your rights. Wishing you all the best in getting this resolved.