Even if it didn't result in the return of my money, it would serve to put the case on record and other unsuspecting souls may see it before getting trapped in a thief's lair.

Besides the obvious that your place could get gutted and cleaned out of anything valuable, there are a number of scams where your listing gets posted to Craigslist, someone else gets access (IE via your lockbox) and "rents" your property to unsuspecting victims.If you do collect fees electronically, don't use Paypal.

As landlords, if we continually allow people to do stuff like this and don't do anything about it, the issue just gets passed to the next unsuspecting landlord and the dead beat tenant just keeps moving on.

Their goal is to collect application fees and rent and deposit from an unsuspecting victim before disappearing.

Somebody could move in while you are gone and claim residency, somebody could rent out your place to some unsuspecting family and then you are stuck again. 

Example has 25 out of 30 units been there for the past 2 years and paying on time OR did this owner slam tenants in with deals to fill the place up fast and try to sell off a dog of a property to an unsuspecting or inexperienced buyer?

I only have a p.o. box too so guess she is pretending to be all sweet again to the new unsuspecting landlord

You statement reminds me of the many gurus who prey on unsuspecting victims.

They make a name for themselves as experts in their filed and then sell that image to unsuspecting fools who pay thousands for their products.

He will collect a security deposit and rent from some unsuspecting person and never be heard from again.