Renting Apartment - Am I being scammed - Case 1

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

Greetings!

I am new here.

I have an apartment to rent and I put an ad on Craigslist. While I get some people who are normal folks with email and phone, I also was contacted by couple of unusual folks. Something just does smell fishy...

I don't have experience with such matters, so you will be my judges.

Here's the initial response to my ad:

"Hello,
How are you doing today.I was just checking for a property to rent on craigslist and found yours. I am interested in renting it. I'll like to know some information regarding the property such as the total amount needed for move-In including deposit..I would love to see some pictures of the interior.When is the ideal Move in date. Kindly get back to me with the answer so that we could proceed from there. Waiting for your response asap"

After my reply stating that apartment is available and possible times for appointment, I received this e-mail:

"Hello,
Thanks for the quick response.I am so glad to inform you that my organizer agreed to pay the requested amount payment for the 1st month rent and deposit starting on the 22 of this Month.I am coming from united kingom england.I am artists working with (FANTASY ARTISTS) at present.Bellow is my employer's address here in the united kingom,333 western avenue london w3 0rs and the web site is www.fantasy-artists.co.uk. and there number is (1144) 7949965335. and fax number (1144) 2076917368.Presently i am working in your area that is why my boss choose your house for me,I wish to sign the lease agreement in person with you when i arrive and all the necessary lease form to be signed before i moved into the house i will like to sign one year lease as soon as i get to the State. As i we will be working on contract and below is my personal information;
(1) My Address 2 Gaside close London se28 0ex (2) Phone number (1144) 7506419924 (3) Passport number 326948242 (4) My National Issurance number jx895644b.Kindly get back to me with the under listed information so that the payment can be issued out to you asap today.And my boss let me know that payment you will receiver form him it include my furniture allowances and my traveling expertise after you might have deduct your own amount rent and the deposit on the check you will received form him,And pls do let me know now if i can trust you with the money.
(1) FULL NAME AS IT WILL BE ON CHECK,
(2) MAILING ADDRESS,
(3) CELL NUMBER AND ALTERNATIVE NUMBER.
I will be glad if you could furnish me with the required details so that we can proceed on payment.
EMPLOYMENT INFO
(1) Position Manager (2) Monthly income 8500 pounds (3) Other source of income 5500 pounds.Here is my phone number (1144) 7506419924 And pls do get back to me with more details about the house.When i arrive i will fill all the paper work and sign all the necessary lease form to be signed before i moved into the house.Here is my picture with my lovely wife and my letter employment of my comprany await your response,Cheers"

Does this look like scam to you? What should I do?

Best,
Sam

Mod Note: Moved from Main Scambaiting to Miscellaneous Scams [BB]

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

Forgot to mention - I am in the USA, if this helps, and person who contacted me is in UK. She basically agreed to rent the place without ever seeing the apartment or me sending any pictures...

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 2:38 am

Welcome Sam, It is definitely a scam. Do a Google search on the address they gave you in London. It is related to other similar scams. These people are proposing that they will send you a check for a larger amount than just rent - including travel expenses and furniture allowance. They want you to cash the check, deduct the rent and than return the difference to them. Thus getting you to cash a fake check and getting some cash for them.

Post the full header from the email and we can check the ip to see where the email was sent from. Also post the email address and any other details, (making sure to hide anything that relates to your true identity) here and on scamwarners.com to warn other potential victims.

Cut off all contact with this person. Just tell them that the place is no longer available. I am sure some of the more experienced members here will give you some additional advice. Good luck!

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

Please refer to ScamWarners.com. Tons of information there.

While we obviously are very familiar with scams, our primary purpose is lashing out at the lads in one form or another. ScamWarners, by contrast, is a better resource for figuring out if you are being targeted.

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:12 am

Googling on the National Insurance number comes up with five examples of it being used for scamming.

419Eater is my life Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 416

scamscamscamscamscamscamscam Very Happy

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 11:09 am

http://Gomer.fileave.com/MrGomerVRenter.wav

Sorry about the audio quality but I have had to set up a new pc and my audio settings are 'a work in progress' but he's 100% a 419 scammer - and a very irritated one too. Laughing

I could irritate a lamp post. Twisted Evil

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