Rental Scam - [email protected]

Hey xxxx,

I wish you all the best of this season...I am interested in subleasing the place for 3-12 months. When is your earliest move in date? I hope you're aware that I am out of town and cannot show you the unit anyway. I am sure you'd learn this if you read through the craigslist listing thoroughly. All pictures listed are the exact portrayal of the unit so keep your mind at ease. Keys will be overnighted to you on the day your payment is received and verified by my certified personal accountant.

I understand that renting sight unseen can make you feel apprehensive given to the number of scams on craigslist but upon your request, I am willing to provide the copies of my lease contract and driver's license as applicable validations to show you this is a legitimate transaction.

Property is located at 1155 N La Cienega 907, West Hollywood, CA, 90069. Let me know if this is the perfect location for your commute. Total move in costs $2800. For the 1st month rent $1800 and refundable security deposit of $1000, that would be refunded to you at the end of tenancy.

To proceed with the reservations, I'll need you to complete the application forms in the attachment to enable me collect the sublease contract for you to overview and sign before proceeding to making payment and having the keys shipped to you. Hopefully we can both work things out.

Kind Regards


Oscar.

Oscar Aranda < [email protected] > wrote:

Okay xxxx, but unfortunately I don't have anyone in LA that could show you the unit I'm sorry but that's the best we can do it right now and I hope you could bear with me... I can assure you %100 that you're safe with this thanks. I will look forward to receive the application form if you'll like to proceed.

Oscar Aranda < [email protected] > wrote:

I will get the agreement and the landlord consent send to you before the document and to you tonight or tomorrow morning, together with payment instructions so you can sign and make due payments to confirm reservation. The total payment will $4000.00 together with the security deposit of $1000.

From: Oscar Aranda < [email protected] >
Subject: Re: Beautiful home with nicely furniture at lower price.

Here's the scan copy of my lease contract together with my personal ID and I hope you could trust and understand me? I don't deal with property manager cause they always demand for a lot of money and that won't pay you as a tenant too. Thanks

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.