Rental Scammer - [email protected]

From: William Terry < [email protected] >
Subject: Re: Interested in the Craigslist posting

Thanks for responding to my advert and sorry for the late reply,
I would like you to know that it is still very much available for rent,i am only willing to give it out to a Good and Responsible person/Family.Its indeed a lovely and comfortable home and available to move in as soon as possible, May the Peace of the Good Lord be with you for considering my home.

Fees:
Per Month : $700 ( Including Utilities, electricity, water, gas, internet,
cable, garbage )
Security Deposit : $700. ( REFUNDABLE )
1 Bedroom
1 Bath
# Central Air Conditioning
APARTMENT FEATURES:
** True 1 Bedroom **
** Hardwood Floors **
** BIG Living Room Wc/ Kitchen **
** Brand New Cabinets-Stove &
Refrigerator**
(25-40 38th St # 5A, Astoria, NY 11103)

I would like you to know that i am giving this home out to you because i just relocated to West Africa , Nigeria for the Missionary work and have a 4 years course.. so my family and i have decided that we would be moving to our other home when we are through down here.

i would like you to send me the below details:

Full name :................................................................................................
Present address :...........................................................................................
Occupation :...................................................................................................
Age :................................................................................................................
Phone Number:...............................................................................................
When you are planning on moving in : ....... ...........................
Credit Statues : ...........................
How many of you would be moving in : .................................
Period of time you are planning to stay, cos i wont be moving back to it:...........................
Do you agree to pay for the security deposit : ....................
How soon are you willing to make payment for the security :......................

NOTE

There is no Registration fee and agency fee of any kind since you are dealing directly with me the Landlord. What required from you alone is the Security Deposit which would be needed as a Security Bond in order for the keys and paperwork along side with Lease Contract agreement to be sent to you... Electric Bills and water bills have been paid for, so i would also need to send the receipts to you, would in case it would be needed.

I would like you to know that you are free to contact me at any time. After i receive this details, i would get back to you soonest and then let you know my terms. Pets are allowed.I hope to hear from you ASAP..

God Bless

This person asks for a deposit payment via Western Union with a promise that they 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 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.

From: William Terry <[email protected]>
Subject: Large sunny Astoria 1 bedroom



God bless you for your reply to my email. i have attached a copy of the lease document and the deed of ownership for you to have a better look at it since am not in the country to take you on a tour and for you to know you dealing with the exact owner of the apartment..
Its very nice to know you have got much interest in my apartment and you are willing to move forward to renting it. God bless you

I want you to know that, what i and my family are in search of is an occupant who can take good care of our home and who we can create a good relationship with for future purpose.. we are a very little family that tries very had to stay away from issues and we are only willing to give out our apartment to a family or an individual who is peaceful and God fearing.

A litle about my self, i am married to a lovely woman and we are blessed with 3 kids.. i am that kind of man who dont give what i cant eat, i believe in the golden rule.. treat others the way you want to be treated, i fear and respect God knowing he doesnt like ugly.. I am just trying to make my intension to you very clear that
i am not the type that take any man for granted and i dont do the running around, i am straight and expect the same of what i give, i just want to rent my home out so it doesnt stay empty.
Also i need you to understand that the money factor would never be an issue for me, because i know how difficult it get most times to get funds, thats why my wife and i are always open to listening to peoples needs.

As i said in my previous email i and my family are out of the country and due to this i would be sending you the keys and legal documents of the apartment. The reason we have the keys and documents with us is because we never had it in mind to rent out our home , but since we going to be staying here longer than expected my
wife insisted we rent it out to a lucky family and in a very affordable price...

So i need you to get back to me and give me your move in date... the names of every one moving in with you, if you have pets i need there names.. and also i need your exact home location so i don't make a mistake wile sending you the keys and document..and let me know if you can make a payment for the full deposit today or at list half.

Please note that the deposit is refundable and it is needed as a sign of commitment towards renting the apartment .. i expect your swift response.
God bless you.

This person asks for a deposit payment via Western Union with a promise that they 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 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.

Thank you for confirming my suspicion that an apartment supposedly near me sounded too good to be true. I tried to arrange a day and time to look at the property, and the email reply ignored that; apart from a different email address and location and a slightly different rent amount (a major part of the too-good-to-be-true-ness), it was a verbatim copy of what's quoted in your original post. (Including the request for "Credit Statues." Would that be sculptures of Teddy Roosevelt charging on San Juan Hill?)