I seem to be on Craig's List just long enough to find all the scams. It is really sad that a great utility is marred by cheats, crooks and even murderers. For those doing searches to see if you are being scammed, here is another one.
Scenario - Looking for a place to rent via Craig's List
What is happening - An unbelievably great deal is posted. You respond to get more information. The poster sends you a long email explaining an intricate situation and why he is outside of the country at the time. He lets you know how much the deposit will be and sends along questions to fill out for the application. I imagine for those who continue forward, the next step would be to wire his bank account with the money for the deposit.
This happened to me twice by apparently the same person. He pulled some rental listings off another person's website and posted them on Craig's List for an unbelievable price. When I inquired about the properties he responded with the emails below. The sad thing is that he even used the property owner's name. Here are two of the fraud responses sent to me.
Hello, Please
excuse my late reply but I couldn't respond earlier. I'm using 4 years
in West africa ,so I'm not giving it out for month alone but for years
and will be relocating else where when i am back from my trip.I and my
wife had an accident when we were in state,and i lost her during the
accident,And also i almost lost my hearing along the inccident so
please if you know you are going to rent my house kindly take good care
of it... The House has 5bedrooms. The rent is $1000 /month and it
includes the utilities.my name is Mr Ted.Slathar.I am the owner of the
House, Now I live in West africa and I came to West Africa under (WHO)
World Health Organisation(WHO). WHO is the directing and coordinating
authority for health within the United Nations system. It is
responsible for providing leadership on globalhealth matters, shaping
the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating
evidence-based policy options, providing technicalsupport to
countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.Visit our website
for more information if you also want to make an impact tothe world.
http://www.who.int/about/en/. I hope you will promise me to take very
good care of the House. The House is very big and nice and it is in a
nice area I have received many proposals today for my property, if you
wish to rent the House you must cover rent deposit which is $600 will
be paid at the beginning of the contract and you will begin to pay the
rent normally from the 2nd month of your staying.So get back to
me on how you could take care of our house or perhaps experience you
have in renting home. Hope you are okay with the price of $1000 with
utilities. I look forward to hearing from you ASAP so that we discuss
on how to get the house for rent, also are you ready to rent it now or
when? I appreciate your expression. i want you go and view house and get back to me.thanks and God bless.here is the Address of the house:<address removed>go and view the house And get back to me and fill out the rental application form below. RENTAL APLICATION FORMFULL NAME?CURRENT ADDRESS?MARITAL STATUS?NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WILL BE LIVING IN THE HOUSE?WHEN DO YOU INTEND TO MOVE IN?HOW MANY YEARS DO YOU INTEND TO LIVE THERE?HOME PHONE?WORK PHONE?CELL PHONE?OCCUPATION?AGE ?Await your response so as to further our discussion. Here is my contact number...(+2348021235547...)Thanks God Bless You.Ted.Slathar.
Number 2
Greeting! And thanks for contacting me in respect of my advert published on
craigslist.com I am Smith Slathar, A nationality of United States of America, a Project Manager To
Abuja Community Development Based on
Urban development
previously credited for the great work done in the Federal capital
(ABUJA) for the re-construction of a mega-city now working on the same
project in Republic of Kogi under the supervision and provision of the
World Bank
.The project which due date was supposed to be in July 2009 was
expanded with extra works in two other states such as Ibadan and Ogun
states neighboring states this will last for a period of Four Years, I
have been in Abuja since January 2009 and my last visit to the State in
March was awesome but I was not happy with the condition I met my house
in and my colleague gave me a good advice which he is also rendering he
told me that while we are in Abuja we can rent out our house in order
for good maintenance and caring from the tenant this is the reason
while I published my
house for rent
on the website popularly known in the state for any interested person
to contact me, The home you are request for is a 5 Bedroom 5 Bathroom,
Locate at 26370 Arbour Creek Ln, Shorewood, MN, 55331. Sq. Footage:
5000. Close To: Block Away From
Lake Minnetonka (boat Slip Available) Rent Includes: Water and sewer Garbage pickup, Rental Features:
Refrigerator Washer and dryer. Monthly Rent: $1800 and a Damage
Security Deposit of $1000, total amount requested is ($2800) for you to secure this home and move in!
Interested leaser/renter should kindly write me back with these requested information for proper record and documentation such
Rental/Lease First Name :
Rental/Lease Last Name:
Rental/Lease Spouse Full Names:
Rental/Lease Kids Full Names:
Rental/Lease Relatives or Friends Full
Name:
Rental/Lease Mobile/Cell Number:
Rent al/Lease Telephone Number:
Rental/Lease Present House Address:
Rental/Lease Present Work place name and Address:
Rental/Lease Present work Tel. Number:
Rental/Lease Numbers of Cars:
Rental/Lease Pet type:
Rental/Lease proposed date of Move in:
Rental/Lease months budget to deposit before move in:
Rental/Lease Reference contact info:
Rental/Lease present Landlord Contact Info:
==============================
Rental/Lease comment:
==============================
Please
only providers of these information I will lease/rent my house, and
then forward I will forward a copy of C of O, Lease contract by email
and other paper works by parcel delivery for authentic signatory and of
the leaser/renter.
Please get back to me if you can comply with these conditions mentioned above.
Thank you.
Smith Slathar
What should you do?
- DO NOT provide any personal or bank account information
- Flag the posting in Craig's List so these scam artist can't continue ripping people off
- Respond directly to the person letting them know that you flagged them and reported them to the authorities for investigation. I did this and have not heard anything else back.
- If you can, find the listing owner and let them know that their rentals were being used by a thief to swindle money from people on Craig's List. While they can't stop anyone from doing this, they can be more aware and potentially flag fraudulent listings too!
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