[email protected]

Hi, so I found an apartment listing on the Pace University off campus NYC housing website and its suspiciously inexpensive. The guy renting it is "david mark" I'm not sure if it is a scam or not. How can I find out? I am like 75% positive its a scam. Here is the first email I was sent by him:

Thanks for the interest you have in my apartment. Here are the necessary things you need to know about the apartment.

TYPE OF PROPERTY
Fully furnished one bedroom apartment(Living room, bedroom,bathroom and kitchen) and it also furnished with a fully-equipped kitchen

RENT AND DEPOSIT
*Rental amount: $1500.00
*Refundable Damage Deposit: $1500.00 (Refundable at the end of tenancy)
*Minimum Stay : 1 Month
*Maximum Stay : 1 year(contract renewed every 1 year)
*Type of lease : Both short and long term
*Utility bills inclusive ( water, gas,electricity and wireless Internet)
*Washer/dryer in unit
*Air conditioning
*parking spot
*pets allowed
*Get back to me if you are satisfied and your present location.

Welcome to Scamwarners,

Do you have any further information to provide. Email addresses, phone numbers and further emails.

Do not send money for any reason until you can physically view the apt and meet the landlord face to face.

Also do not send money to yourself, friends or family on the promise that it proves you have the money. A scammer can still receive the money in this situation.

The writing looks West African, and "David Mark" is a name used by West African scammers, though more often as a member of the Senate House. I think it is probably a scam, but please post the email address, the apartment address, and more emails to be sure.

Thank you for your replies! The email address to contact him was "[email protected]" and he replied from "[email protected]" The apartment is located at 50 E 28th St. New York, NY at a building called "Prism at Park Avenue South Apartments." I looked the building up and a one bedroom apartment goes for around $3,000+ per month. It is definitely a scam. I was onto him so I emailed him back and asked for pictures which he sent and I then asked to see it in person and he replied with:

"However, At this stage that you want to rent my apartment, i need to ask a question from you.

Can you take care of my apartment as it is?
How many months do you intend to rent and pay for?

Because it's unfortunate that my past bitter experience for booking a viewing and reserving accommodation for tenants without any form of confirmation of their financial ability, seriousness, commitment and not keeping up to time as at when scheduled.

Even some outside tenants do not have the money to pay the rent and yet they disturb the the landlord to arrange a viewing with their friend or relative who are residing in the city.

So you will need to make a reservation deposit and also the first month rent payment to reserve the apartment for you. but before that, my lawyer will need some information from you to draft a contract which you will print and bring along with you while coming for the apartment on that very date of your move-in. Below are the details needed.

Your full name:
Present address:
Confirmed move in date:
Moving out date:
Phone Number :

Kindly get back to me with these information so that i can tell you how to proceed with the reservation deposit and the first month rent.

Regard"

Hi, so I posted on here a few days ago about an a possible apartment rental scam. Turns out, it was a scam. The guy was under the alias "David Mark" and tried to rent an apartment to me in NYC that I found on the Pace University Off-Campus housing website. Last night, I emailed him back saying that I know it is a scam and that I reported him to the police and that he is horrible for doing this to people. I am now receiving multiple calls from a random number and I am really worried it is from him and that he some how got my number. The calls are from a 456 area code and I looked that up and it says it is an international call. He also called from a weird 8 digit number that I looked up as well and it came from Kazakhstan. I answered one of the calls and the person just hung up. I have received 4 calls total within about 20 minutes. I am really worried that he could be tracking my phone or something. Is there anything I should do? Thank you so much

Ignore all unknown calls in the future or change your number.

Do not reply to anymore of his emails.

Once you know you are dealing with a criminal stop all contact. Do not confront them.