Rental Scammer - [email protected]

From: Richard Williams <[email protected]>
To: Con Warner
Sent: Thu Oct 14 15:30:49 2010
Subject: Re: Apartment on 44th St. Manhattan

I'm a Dr Richard Williams a volunteer with Save a Soul Organization.I arrive West Africa a week Ago in supporting long term needs for clean water in Kenya, Sudan, Mali, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Benin, Republic, Nigeria and Ethiopia - providing the everyday needs of more than 389,500 people. Also committed to mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS, which kills more than 6,000 Africans everyday, we are supporting community garden programs for AIDS sufferers and their families.

I am renting my Apartment because i will be spending a long time (3-5yrs) traveling around Africa and i need a clean responsible person that i can trust to take a proper care of the apartment at all time. I cherish my apartment so much so I took the keys /documents with me and am only willing to rent it out to someone who I can trust because I don’t want my property to be misused in my absence. I would like to have your word because i am doing this base on trust and putting everything in God hands. The rent includes all utilities and it available for short and long term rental. Fill out the Rental application below if interested and please note this that you cant go inside the apartment because the property is locked and the keys are right here with me but feel free to go view the exterior and upon approval the keys/papers work will be FedEx to you.

The Rent Include all utilities except internet and cable


Rental Fee: $800

Security Deposit: 700

Address:245 E 44th St, New York, NY 10017

1 Bedroom
1 bathroom

Fill the rental application below.

RENTAL APPLICATION
Tenant Name:
Desired date of occupancy:
Desired length of occupancy:
Smoker:
Sex:
Pets:
PRESENT ADDRESS:
How long:
Home Phone No.
Cell Phone No:
Current rent payment:
Reason for moving:
Employer:
Address:
City:
State:
Position:
If a student:
Name of the School:

Thank you again for your interest in my apt , Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that I can have it in my file incase of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you.

Thanks and God Bless.
Dr Richard Williams
+2348065997472
Save A Soul Organization

This person asks for a deposit payment via Western Union with a promise that he will send the keys through a courier company.

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 payment to 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.

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 by Western Union 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.

New script and phone number:

From: [email protected]

Hello,
Peace be Unto You
Am sorry for the late response it was due to the church matters i needed to attend to, It is my gladness to hear from you.I am the owner of the apartment you are making inquiry of.Actually I resided in the house with my family,including my wife and my only daughter before and presently we had moved because i had just relocate to West Africa, Nigeria for the my Missionary work.
so my family and I left (New york) with the hope that i will be coming in 3 month’s time but right now the church have ask me to stay for 6 years with them that is why i have made up my mind to put up my apartment for rent and presently the apartment is still available for rent for $800USD including the utilities.
I have all the documentation with me here.Now I want to rent the apartment out for either long or short period depending on you.I really don’t like how it is vacant now since I have settled down here for long.I actually gave the apartment to an agent last year but I don’t really like how he exploit the tenant and also ripped me off.Now I have decided to rent it out myself now..So I will gladly handover the keys as soon as I’m able to confirm that you really need my apartment and would take it as soon as possible.
This is because I was a victim of bad experience few months ago.I traveled down from West Africa(Nigeria) to meet some fake tenants without confirming their seriousness and readiness,it was later I realized they have no money ready for the rent but just to view the apartment because they love the apartment.I wasted my money and time.Since then I have been advised by my Attorney not to meet any tenant without confirming his/her ability to pay for the rent deposit and one month rent.
Please i want you to note that,i am a kind and honest man and also i spent a lot on my property that i will be renting to you,so i will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this house and want you to treat it as your own.
Fees:
Per Month : $800 ( Including Utilities )
Security Deposit : $700. ( REFUNDABLE )

1 Bedroom
1 Bathroom
# Central Air Conditioning
Full Bath, Kitchen, Living-Dining Room . Surrounded by Large sunny windows. Hard wood Floors. Washer and Dryer. Laundry Room
Town and shopping.

ADDRESS: 25 W 75th St,APT 3B,New York, NY 10023

FILL THE RENT APPLICATION FORM
Last Name:_______________________
First Name:______________________
Middle Initial:______________________
Date of Birth:______________________
Telephone Number:_________________
:__________________
Current Address:___________________
Number of pets:_________________
Sex:__________________________
Current Rental Payment:___________________
Permanent Address:_________________
When do you intend to move in:__________
Job Title:________________________
Company Name:__________________
Per Month_______________________($800USD)
Security Deposit____________________($700USD)
Do You Agree To Pay Security Deposit?____________
Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file in case of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you. Await your urgent reply so that i can discuss on how to get the document and the keys of the Apt to you.
Thanks for taking your time in writing me and hope to hear back from you.
Regards.
Rev Richard Williams
+2348123179677

Hey Con, Thanks for this post.... my gf was in contact with this guy, so i decided to search his email online and found this forum.... she got the same email from him.....


Hello,
Peace be Unto You
Am sorry for the late response it was due to the church matters i needed to attend to, It is my gladness to hear from you.I am the owner of the apartment you are making inquiry of.Actually I resided in the house with my family,including my wife and my only daughter before and presently we had moved because i had just relocate to West Africa, Nigeria for the my Missionary work.
so my family and I left (New york) with the hope that i will be coming in 3 month’s time but right now the church have ask me to stay for 6 years with them that is why i have made up my mind to put up my apartment for rent and presently the apartment is still available for rent for $800USD including the utilities.
I have all the documentation with me here.Now I want to rent the apartment out for either long or short period depending on you.I really don’t like how it is vacant now since I have settled down here for long.I actually gave the apartment to an agent last year but I don’t really like how he exploit the tenant and also ripped me off.Now I have decided to rent it out myself now..So I will gladly handover the keys as soon as I’m able to confirm that you really need my apartment and would take it as soon as possible.
This is because I was a victim of bad experience few months ago.I traveled down from West Africa(Nigeria) to meet some fake tenants without confirming their seriousness and readiness,it was later I realized they have no money ready for the rent but just to view the apartment because they love the apartment.I wasted my money and time.Since then I have been advised by my Attorney not to meet any tenant without confirming his/her ability to pay for the rent deposit and one month rent.
Please i want you to note that,i am a kind and honest man and also i spent a lot on my property that i will be renting to you,so i will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this house and want you to treat it as your own.
Fees:
Per Month : $800 ( Including Utilities )
Security Deposit : $700. ( REFUNDABLE )

1 Bedroom
1 Bathroom
# Central Air Conditioning
Full Bath, Kitchen, Living-Dining Room . Surrounded by Large sunny windows. Hard wood Floors. Washer and Dryer. Laundry Room
Town and shopping.

ADDRESS: 25 W 75th St,APT 3B,New York, NY 10023

FILL THE RENT APPLICATION FORM
Last Name:_______________________
First Name:______________________
Middle Initial:______________________
Date of Birth:______________________
Telephone Number:_________________
:__________________
Current Address:___________________
Number of pets:_________________
Sex:__________________________
Current Rental Payment:___________________
Permanent Address:_________________
When do you intend to move in:__________
Job Title:________________________
Company Name:__________________
Per Month_______________________($
800USD)
Security Deposit____________________($700USD)
Do You Agree To Pay Security Deposit?____________
Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file in case of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you. Await your urgent reply so that i can discuss on how to get the document and the keys of the Apt to you.
Thanks for taking your time in writing me and hope to hear back from you.
Regards.
Rev Richard Williams
+2348123179677

Thanks for your help JBuD21 (and the thanks).
Welcome to ScamWarners. We're glad you found us.

ohhhhh NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

thank god I actually do some research be4 I transfer the money.
but I already filled up the rental application and sent him the email with all my personal information....names, phone number, and current address. and even a little background of myself...
nonononoooooooooo

tho I haven't make any payment yet, but I'm still sooooooo worried.
what should I do?!
I should just block all his emails right?

helpppppp


FYI,
once u filled up the application, he'll reply u as...

Hello,


Thanks for your mail. After going through your email, my wife and i
have finally concluded to rent the House to you. The rent is $750 and
deposit payment fee is $750 Since we shall be giving you our house,
please again take care of the house, i and i will keep my word to be a
good landlord to you.


Therefore after going through your mail and accessing your profile, we
strongly believe that you are a respectable and responsible person, I
am sure you would be able to take great care of the property. It would
be appreciated if you can make the deposit payment ASAP so that i can
file you as my new tenant and also send you the House Keys and House
Documents. Also, Pets are allowed.


Please once again, we are giving you this on trust and do not
disappoint us and we promise you that you will love the house and the
peaceful serene environment.


I am with the documents below here with me and I will like to know if
you are ready to make the deposit payment.


Here are the contents of the documents I would be sending to you:


1) Entrance and the rooms Keys
2) Paper/Permanent house form (Containing your reference details)
3) Agreement Form which you would sign and send back to me.
4) The House Documentary file.
5) Payment Receipt.
6) Full address and description of the house

7) No Garage,but easy to park in street


I am very glad that you are taking the apartment. I would arrange with
fedEx to ship the House Keys and Documents over to you. My wife and i
has come to an agreement as to a way that we would be secure for both
you and myself. Like i explained to you in my first email, i am
currently in Africa and the keys would be shipped to you from here.


Now, in Western Union, there's a Security Test Question and a Security
Test Answer, which without it we cannot collect the payment here. You
can send the security deposit with your own different Test Question
and Test Answer but you would not give us the Test Question and Test
Answer until you receive the house keys and house documents. All you
need to send to me is the MTCN Number so i can confirm from Western
Union that the said amount was sent. And after you receive the House
Keys and Documents, you would give the Security Test Question and
Answer so that i can receive the payment.


The details to send the payment are found below:


RECEIVER'S NAME: Richard Williams


ADDRESS: 41 Victoria Road
Abuja, Lagos State
Nigeria


Amount:


Test:USE YOUR PERSONAL QUESTION


Answer:USE YOUR PERSONAL ANSWER


MTCN:


After you have sent out the payment, send me the MTCN number so that i
can confirm that the payment has been sent and after you receive the
House Keys and Documents and you are satisfied with the apartment, you
can release the Security Test Question and Answer to me.




Ensure you email me as soon as you recieve my email so I can proceed
with sending of the keys and lease to you.


Rev. Richard Williams

N:B
Do reconfirm your delivery address after making the secured payment
- Show quoted text -

Also, I asked him to send me more photos of the apt.
he actually sent me a few photos, which I think he randomly downloaded from the internet....

Yes, just block his email, and be aware you will likely be targeted by other scams--just keep a close eye out, make sure you carefully check any future offers, and you should be fine.

thank you!

and... right after I posted the previous article, a few mins later....
I recevied something really similar.

Matthew Wallis to me

show details 8:57 PM (9 minutes ago)

Good Day,

My apartment is still available for rent. But i want you to know that i am renting my apartment out at a low price because i am only interested in you taking great care of the apartment and not the financial aspect of it.

I am currently in Africa on an assignment as a Physiotherapist and i have been serving for over 2 years now. I wanted to sell the apartment before using an agency but my wife and i have decided that renting it out would be better for us. I want you to know that you can stay in the apartment as long as you would like to stay as we are not planning on moving back into the apartment because we would be relocating to the United Kingdom from here. But we would be checking up on you once in a while to ensure that the apartment is well taken cared of.

You can read about me, my work here and also view a short video of my work here for the past 2 years. The links are below:

http://www.sim.org/index.php/content/ph ... in-nigeria
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIgDpVUakSY


The address of my apartment is: 44 Newtown Road, Astoria NY 11103

Rent Fees:

Rent Per Month: $750 (Including Utilities)
Security Deposit: $550 (Refundable)

APARTMENT FEATURES:

Large 1 Bdrm
1 Bath
Size: 1005 sqft
Large Living Room
High Ceilings
Stainless Steel Appliances
Formal Dining Room
Hardwood Floors
Brand New Cabinets, Electric Cooker, dish washer & Refrigerator
Washer, Heater and Dryer in the apartment

I would like you to fill the below details:

RENT APPLICATION FORM:
FIRST NAME:_________
MIDDLE NAME:_________________
LAST NAME:__________________
AGE:_____
SEX:________________
PROFESSION:________________
MARITAL STATUS____________
TIME ON YOUR JOB:______
PHONE NUMBERS
(CELL)PHONE_____
(WORK)PHONE____
(HOME)PHONE_____
KIDS___ (YES/NO), HOW MANY_____
PRESENT ADDRESS:____
WHY ARE YOU LEAVING?
HOW LONG DO YOU INTEND STAYING?_______
WHEN DO YOU INTEND MOVING IN?________
IF YOU HAVE A PET?_____-
DO YOU SMOKE?______________
DO YOU DRINK?_________
DO YOU WORK LATE NIGHTS____

After i have received these details above, i would discuss with my wife and let you know my terms and how we would conclude the Lease process and also send you the Keys to the apartment so that you can move into the apartment asap.

I hope to hear from you soonest.

God Bless.

Matthew Wallis

I shall block this this guy as well.

Thanks for posting mandaKLC.
What email address did the scammer from the post above use for contact?

the email is
[email protected]

hope this post is being helpful
good luck with house hunting everyone!! and be aware!!

Thank you do much for posting this! I felt the email address was suspicious but I'm really desperate for an apartment do I emailed him anyway. His reply was obviously even more suspicious, which led me to look him up and find this. It's a shame that this is being done to people who need places to live.

Btw, the email address he used for me was richiewillie001 at gmail.com

Welcome to ScamWarners jensterx3 and thank you for posting this email address.

It is a shame what scammers do to renters and others. We are pleased you found us and were not scammed. That is a big part of our mission.

It seems like everyone that has posted about this specific scam had the same thoughts as I did. I am looking for apartments and had found this ad on craigslist that seemed too good to be true so I did a google search on the guy, Rev. Richard Williams, and the first link to his name was for this site. I'm glad I looked in to this before contacting him again. His emails to me were almost exactly the same. Thank you for making me aware of this scam before I proceeded any further.