A friend lost a month's rent to a London rental scam recently. The police told them, politely, that they would not be investigating. That wasn't a failure of their specific case. It was the national policy. It's worth understanding why before you waste your energy in the wrong place. Here's what happened. They found a room online. Decent photos, fair price for the area, friendly listing. They messaged. The reply came back warm and quick. Voice notes were exchanged. The landlord sent a driving licence and a utility bill, both addressed to the property. They answered questions about bills, the neighbours, the commute. Nothing felt off. Then, near the end, a small twist. Could my friend pay an extra month upfront? Someone else was about to take the room and willing to pay full whack, but the landlord preferred them. The extra month would lock it in. It was framed as a favour, not a demand. They paid. A meeting was scheduled to collect keys. The landlord didn't show. There had been a death in the family.…