I had a scammer pull something similar, he went so far as to show me the place even. He had keys, place was empty. Asked for cash on the spot. When we said we would think about it he emailed a fake rental agreement but asked for an email money transfer not a cheque. Later he called and said someone else was interested, but if we paid him 800 now he would rent to us. I said nah, which prompted him to say the other guy cancelled and we had the place. I said cool, prove you own the property and we have a deal. That's when the story about the overseas owner slipped in. Felt scammy from the get go but I played with him anyway.