Renting Apartment - Am I being scammed? - Case 2

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Hello I'm New here! Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Posts: 3

Another one - in response to my add to rent an apartment.

First response to my ad:

" I saw you were renting a _____ apartment last month on craigslist. Is it rented or is it still available. i would love to come and see it if it is vacant.
Regards, _____"

Second e-mail:

I would still like to come see it but for peace of mind would like to know how it is still available.

Just an FYI?for you I live in _______ with my wife and two kids but business takes me to ____ two weekends a month and I am just looking for a place to spend my weekends. I am the ideal tenant who is just looking for a place to hang my hat for those two weekends. Up until now I usually stay at the Hilton Hotel but would prefer a studio so I can kind of have a place away from my house. I am sure if I like the apartment we can come to an agreement. I assume you would want security, 1st
month,last month and some personal things like paychecks and tax forms. Is that correct. Money would not be an issue the only
issue I have is why the apartment still available. Anyway I am in ____ this weekend so I hope to find 10 minutes in my busy
schedule to come and see the apartment.Thanks for your time"

Third e-mail:

"Just ot?your email tis?morning. I am heading out of town as I speak. I will be back in ____ next Saturday. If you can send me some pictures of apartment I can send you up a check or money order for the 1st 3 months. Please email me some pictures. If this doesnt?work for you let me know and maybe we can make arrangements for next weekend. After next weekend I wont be back to the weekend of November 8th. I am sure the last tenant was a major inconvenience being he moved in and out in such a quick turnaround. I can assure you this would be long term or as long as I keep my business interest in ___. The hotel is costing
more than the ______?for just 1 weekend and like I said there is no comfort in getting a different room every weekend so I think an apartment would be better. Let me know."

After I sent him some pictures of the place, here's the weird e-mail:

"looks great where can I send the money order to. I will send you three months of rent X,XXX dollars in the form of a money order."

What do you say?

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 2:45 am

Scam. The money order will be fake.

Either drop him and walk away, or tell him that you have a policy that you must meet all prospective tenants in person before you will accept a down-payment.

Baiting Guru Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 7103 Location: Yes

See my response in this thread.

Master of Master Baiters Joined: 26 Sep 2008 Posts: 689

Ask for the money to come in a trunk box .... Razz

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:04 pm

No phone number ? Sad

I can make another call in the hope of getting my audio settings correct and also flush him out if you like.

Any foreigners wanting to pay you should send you a Western Union payment. Ideally you would make it a bank to bank 'SWIFT' transfer, but the danger of you divulging your bank details to a scammer is so great it would be wiser to accept the initial deposit in this manner until you know you have an honest client.

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 3:14 pm

Sadly if you ask for a WU payment you may involve an ITP person if the .1% chance it does get sent. Then "I can't make it" and ask you to wire the money back.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 21 Sep 2008 Posts: 6

no one would ever pay three months rent up front.

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:50 pm

You will accept a Western Union payment, it is 100% non-refundable in any circumstances whatsoever Smile

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