You are wrong because the nature of this setup specifically allows them to ensure no card owner will be able to find out that they've been conned for several mo

You are wrong because the nature of this setup specifically allows them to ensure no card owner will be able to find out that they've been conned for several months (by only accepting renters who want to move in in several months). If you just buy card info and charge them, some of those card owners will notice right away.