Rental Scammer - [email protected]

From: usa apartments < [email protected] >
Subject: Re: Apartments.com Network lead for 2000 Alaskan Way
To:

Hello,

Thank you for your email query regarding my apartment.
First of all, I'm Maria Klemens. I'm renting the apartment, because my company started a new project in Canada and I had to move here for the next 5 years
I'm kinda sad that I had to let all behind and move in other country, but I have a job and I must respect it. The apartment is available for long-term, it's in excellent condition, very clean and fully furnished with all the necessary equipment and appliances. The apartment has public transport near and not far away of shopping center, sports club and coffee shops. The building has pool, spa, gym and many other amenities.
The rent is including utilities (water, electricity, internet, cable TV). A security bond of one month and a half is required at the start of the lease and it will be refunded at the end of the contract (a 30 day notice is required). Pets are allowed in the property as long as they don’t cause any serious damage. Also a parking space for two cars is available. The property can also be rented unfurnished in which case i will arrange for furniture to be collected and placed in storage. If you have any question or would you like more pictures please let me know.

In the meantime, can you please confirm the following:

· How many people would be living at the property?
· When would you like to move in?
· What term/length lease would you like?
· Do you have any pets?
· When are your most suitable times/days to view the property?

If further interested, please give me some information about yourself (age, job, lifestyle or whatever you think makes you a good tenant).
Thank you and I look forward to hearing back from you.

This person asks for a deposit payment via Western Union, MoneyGram, pre-paid credit card or bank transfer with a promise that you can have the keys to a property that does not belong to him.

Sounds safe. It's not!

At other times, he will ask for proof that you are able to pay the deposit and rent due to a string of time wasters.
This proof is in the form of a Western Union or MoneyGram payment to a lawyer,a friend or family member.

In either case, if payment is made and you give this person the details, they will collect the money.
You will not hear from them again.

All the details such as names, addresses, pictures etc. that the scammer uses in order to back up his story, are stolen from elsewhere.

If you are reading this because you are looking for property to rent, and you are in contact with this thief you are probably searching Craigslist, Gumtree or similar listing sites. If you receive any requests from 'Landlords' asking for some kind of payment before viewing, then it will also be a scam. Please forward the mail to me at the address in my signature line and I will investigate and list them if necessary.