SCAMMER: [email protected]

Watch out for this guy going by the name Harry Thomson.. He is trying to rent out an apartment in the Marina: 3731 Fillmore St #7 San Francisco, CA 94123. Below his pitch... pushing for reserving the place without us being able to see it...

Sales Pitch:
Thanks for getting back to me,The viewing date of the apartment unit interior and also move-in will commence from on the 28th of April,that is when the current occupant has moved out from the apartment unit,Because the current occupant will be moving out on the 27th of April,So that means the apartment unit will be fully available for your viewing and also move-in from on the 28th by 4pm So you are here by advise to come by the unit for viewing and also move-in by then,And it is OK by me if you want the apartment as stated. The apartment lease period is flexible (depending on how long you desire),So all you have to do now is to make reservation to secure the apartment unit for your proposed move in date. The rent per month is $2,600 with utilities plus a refundable security deposit of $1,500.And i must let you know that this apartment is in high demand, so if you are really interested in securing the apartment then you must act fast to have it secured prior to your move in date.But if you insist that you see the apartment before on the 28th when the current occupant has evacuate the unit.Then i will advise that you take a walk round the apartment building and see for your self where you are about to stay in a short time from now,But note that you will not be allowed to enter or view the unit interior till on the 28th when the unit will be fully available for viewing and also move-in for security reasons,

Note,that the pictures you saw on-line are the exact pictures and conditions of the apartment unit;the apartment was newly renovated with model amenities. It has a lot of breath taking amenities, with all model technology in it; it has a stainless steel appliances, industrial kitchen faucet, and dishwasher. There is an amazing laundry facility in the unit, electric, garbage disposal, cable TV available,including parking space.

Monthly rent is $2,600 plus refundable security deposit of $1,500.
3 months lease attract 10% discount of the total rent.
6 months lease attract discount of 15% of the total rent.
A year lease attract 20% discount of the total rent.

Keep in mind that rent includes all of the utilities, heat, hot water, electricity, AC, Car parking, high speed Internet wireless and the use of all the facilities in the building.

You can make booking for reservation now so that the apartment can be reserve upon your move-in date or you stand the chance of losing it to someone else that might booked it before you because we operate on a "FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS".

I must let you know that this apartment is in high demand , so if you are really interested in securing the apartment then you must act fast to have it secured prior to your move in date.

So if you wish to proceed then get back to me for lease contract and reservation details for booking.

I wait to hear from you soon.

Regards,
Harry Thomson

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Once you show interest and tell him you would like to make the reservation, he will send you the lease form and bank details to wire the money
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The attached file is the apartment lease form, You're to fill sign and send a scan copy back to me,here is my property manager's bank details for payment. You have to act fast on your end in securing the apartment before someone else does.

The following information is that of the bank details of my property manager.

Name:Nachelle Lopez.
Citi Bank.
Checking Acc # 497282xxxx.
Routin no:#02100xxxx.
Swift Code:CITIUS33.
Savings # 497282xxxx.

Tenant shall be refunded is full deposit ($4,100), if he or she makes payment without viewing the apartment and changes is mind after viewing it for any reason.

I await your earliest response to my email as soon as you can with the filled lease contract and the receipt of payment so i can secure the unit in your name and also issue you a receipt of payment.

Thanks,
Harry.
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We played along and said if he could provide some identification and a phone number and address so we would feel comfortable, as he never gave out any clues. He provided a copy if his DMV ID card, which was clear he "tweaked".
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Be advised we caught someone under a different name for a different property trying to pull the same trick in very similar language. When we told him to send us the information so we could fill in the application and pay for the reservation,we received the exact same bank details under the same name.
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We noticed a pattern here:
1. The properties had been for sale recently (Check using Zillow) and were taken off the listing afterwards.. That's how they got all the property pictures and details I guess..
2. The deal is always great, allowing (multiple) pets without checking for breed or size, great rent including water, electricity and garbage, breath taking amenities and likely newly renovated.
3 They are very pushy to get you to reserve the place before you actually get to see it, paying up front for 1st month rent and deposit...The property is in high demand and you MUST act fast
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We made it our duty to report this with both the City bank fraud department ([email protected]) and the DMV Fraud team ([email protected]) providing them with all the details we were able to obtain..

LET'S MAKE THEIR LIVES MISERABLE AND GET THE WORD OUT

Thanks for posting! The writing looks like that of a West African.

This just happened to me.
I just googled the name Nachelle Lopez before I made the payment and I was lucky to have stumbled upon your post!
I've been emailing a Gerald Smith ([email protected]) about an apartment in NYC which sounded too good to be true with the same information (apartment info and bank info) about this apartment.
Thanks so much!

This is a Scam. Here is his most recent post on Craigslist.com: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/vac/4033176179.html

He was deliberately vague and from the the first email he mentioned payment would be made via western union money transfer. He dropped out of communication when I mentioned I only do business with legitimate owners and property managers. Here's the text version of his rental posting on Craigslist:

A charming, bright spacious one bedroom apartment with a Golden Gate Bridge view has a great floor plan with a formal dining room with closet that can be a second bedroom located at 3731 Fillmore Street #7, San Francisco CA 94123,the flat has an updated kitchen and bathroom, period details such as gorgeous parquet wood floors, coved ceiling, crown molding, wall sconces and French doors. This is a great block of Fillmore that puts you seconds from Chrissy Field and The Bay . Home Features: One bedroom/One Bathroom Bright living room with Golden Gate Bridge view. Formal dining room with closet that can be a second bedroom Updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite counters In unit washer and dryer includes water, garbage, building insurance and maintenance plus reserves Building is condo lottery eligible and has been in it once Common rooftop deck with panoramic San Francisco views Walk Score 85 out of 100.