Housing Rental Scam

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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 6:00 pm

Hi,

Long time fan of the site, but new to the forums. I was actually one of the first people I knew to receive one of the "original" 419 e-mails. Some foreign dignitary had died and ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FIVE MILLION US DOLLARS needed to be transferred... Smile

Anyway, I've come across a new type of scam that I'd never seen before. In just the last week, I've been approached three times through this same method.

The scammer posts a "for-rent" ad on craigslist, for a house. It looks very legitimate from the ad. There are pictures and an address and plenty of details about the house. The text is usually in very clear and correct English. But, once you actually contact the supposed owner of the house, you get a very strange e-mail in response. The owner claims that he's just recently had to leave the country and move to Africa (surprise surprise). So the letter includes a rental application requesting all your personal information, which would actually be pretty standard for someone renting a house. But the part that immediately tells you it's a scam is that they want you to fill out the application and send the application fee and deposit (usually about $1000) right away -- without ever having seen the house. Supposedly the owner will mail you a key so that you can go and look at the house, but only after he's received your deposit.

For me, it was a no-brainer, because you'd have to be crazy to send anyone a thousand dollars, especially overseas, not to mention all your personal information.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share, since I've seen this same scam three times in the last week. Here is the most recent e-mail I've received. I can post the links to the craigslist ads if anyone is interested.

Quote:

Hello,

I am very happy to read an email from you,showing interest in my home.
Thanks for your email and I am very glad having receive an email from
you regarding my Home, I am Mc Kelly and my Wife Rose and we are the
very owner of the 3Br/2.5Ba Gorgeous, spacious, ranch style home you
are making enquiry of.

Previously, we reside in this particular house with the rest of our
family, which are our two children (George & Laura) ,we lived there
before and presently we packed due to an emergency transfer from my
working place to make an amendments of fabric productions and this
transfer is temporary but will last for at least 51months (4years+)
and now i am situated in the (West Africa Region), presently our house
is available for rent for $900 per month (All Utilities also
Included)and a security deposit of $400. I want you to know that the
House is Unfurnished, so you can move into the house with your own
Personal furnitures but the Utilities are intact such as Dishwasher,
Dryer, Electric Stove, Fridge, Washer,AC,Sewage,Trash etc.
Please note that, we are a kind and honest family,that spent a lot on
property that is available for rent, so in one accord,we are
soliciting for your absolute maintenance of this house and want you to
treat it as your own.

We want you to keep it tidy all the time so that we shall be glad to
see it whenever we are around on a visit.

SO IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE RENTAL
APPLICATION FORMS BELOW:
[Application is attached]

Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that we can
have it our file in case of issuing the receipt for you and contacting
you.

Await your prompt reply so that we can discuss on the rental terms
and agreement, please we are renting the house to you base on trust
and again i will want you to stick to your words.

So please do not let us down in maintaining this our property and God
bless you more as you do this.

Thanks and you are welcome.

Regards.

Kel

I love that his name is "Mc Kelly" and that his wife's name is "Wife Rose."

Elite Baiter Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Posts: 1006

I'm interested...I like Craigslist scammers. And one who is kind and honest will forgive me when I make so many mistakes. Very Happy

Please PM the details.