Apparently this is going on specifically in short-term rentals and out in the West Coast, which got me thinking how is anybody protected against the scams?

be creative, put out an ad as a buyer...just beware of people trying to scam you.

You can thank the people scamming the mortgage lenders for this one.

There are folks out there who target people like you with, at best, bad deals, and maybe out-and-out scams.

There have been many scams and frauds relating to the 1031 exchange process.

Sounds like a good scam.

I'm not saying everyone who isn't paying is scamming but what often happens is that people have a minor setback and they stop paying and then, when nothing bad happens, they just keep not paying even when they're able to pay once again.

I have been a victim of fraud/scams and it almost feels or sounds the same.

Is this a scam? 

it is easy to remove themJust take some guys with you and remove them by force,they won't take you to court cause they have no proof they belong in your property I would not even consider calling the police Waste of time If you treat scam artists and crooks like they deserve they will go awayThey are just looking for a free ride Throw them out,no more problemYes you may end up in court Who cares,those POS squatters are gone