Rental Scammer - [email protected]

I’ve been in contact with this person, using the email address [email protected].
He claimed to be a reverend, but then wanted funds to be wired to his “secretary” Payton Vaughn. That was my biggest red flag.

Hello,

Thanks for your interest and inquiries about my house. Yes the house is still available for rent and we are looking for a responsible person/family to occupy and maintain the house now that we are not around. Myself and my wife just traveled to Missouri for a program called SERVING IN MISSION (SIM), you can view the link for more info: (https://www.sim.org/what-we-do).We will be away for 3 to 4 years or more that is why I have made up my mind to put up my house for rent to whomever that will take good care of it. However, my initial plan was to sell the house but it was not successful because the Realtor raised the price which made it difficult for me to sell before leaving the States so never mind if you see the for sale sign in front of the house, It has already been taken off the market as for sale so there is no need to contact any Realtor.

FEATURES : Laundry, Electric Range, Electric Heat, Master Bedroom, Car Park..AMENITIES: Air Conditioning, Cable TV, Ceiling Fans, 24 hours Internet service, Dishwasher, Fireplace, Garbage Disposal, Microwave, security alarm, Pets Friendly, Refrigerator, Washer / Dryer.You can also call or text me 415-237-1990

Rental Price: $700 per month and security Deposit is $700(Security Deposit is Refundable) Utilities included in monthly rent.
Total:$1,400
Pets are Welcome.
Here is the address to the house: 7575 E Indian Bend Rd APT 2068, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Bedroom:1 Bathroom:1
Living Building Square Footage: 731 sqft
RENT QUESTIONNAIRE

Full Name: __________?
Phone numbers(home and cell)#:__________?
Marital Status(Sex):__________?
How many proposed occupants:__________?
List all in addition to yourself including approx age(s):__________?
Present home Address :__________?
Do you have pets:__________?
Please describe Breed/size/Personality of pet:__________?
Present occupation:__________?
Monthly Income:_______________?
Do you work late night(work hours):__________?
Length of previous tenancy :__________?
Brief Rental History:__________________?
Are you a section 8 applicant:___________?
When do you plan to move in, please write exact date:__________?
Intended length of lease:__________?

Habits;
Do you smoke/drink:__________?
Do you party late:___________?

Credits;
Good/Bad:_______________?
Any criminal record(YES/NO):_______?
Reference(s):______________?

Do you agree to make a down payment before you move in:__________?
If you are asked to make a down payment to secure the property today and take it off market, How much will you be able to pay:__________?

I ___________________, Certify that answers given herein are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I authorize investigation of all statements contained in this application for tenant screening as may be necessary in arriving at a tenant decision. I understand that the landlord may terminate any rental agreement entered into for any misrepresentation made above.

Looking forward to hear from you with the rental application form so that i can have it in my file incase of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you. Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the keys to you, please I am giving you all this base on trust and again i will want you to stick to your words, you know that we do not see yet and only putting everything into Gods hand, so please do not let me down in this property and God bless you more as you do this. You can move in with your pet.

I look forward to hear from you ASAP so that we can proceed further.
Rev. Forde John

When I told him I felt unsure about a transaction of this nature, his reply was:

I understand you perfectly and i also understand your concern but I want you to know something and it's true like the bible said"The truth and only the Truth shall set you free,thus says the lord of host".I'm telling you the truth now as a dedicated Christian is against my doctrine to rip people off there money which they labored so hard for, i did not leave my home all the way to rip people off any one money. I know what i have been through in all my trips, I'm a human being like you and i have feelings like you do,i also believe that God is watching every step we take that is why i made the apt so inexpensive because i believe everybody deserves a home both the rich and the poor so you don't have to be afraid because i know i can trust you that is why I'm giving you my home based on trust.

You will be using Walmart transfer to pay the deposit payment first until we are able to open an account where the rent should be paid into. Here is the Information for you to make the Deposit. all you have to do is to fill the form that will be giving to you at the money gram outlet store, and here are the information as written.

Name: Payton Vaughn
Address: 1040 S Clifton Ave APT 303A, Springfield, MO 65802

With this information just walk to any store near you and address the $700 to this information, Payment receipt will be given to you after the transaction, just check and copy out the confirmation Number written on the receipt. Get back to me as soon as the payment is made with the details below for the
confirmation of the payment.

Sender's Full Name:
(Reference Number):

Remain Blessed

Rev. Forde John

Rental Scammer - [email protected]

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.

[AlanJones]

I have found a similar occurrence:

Craigslist posting: https://neworleans.craigslist.org/apa/d ... 69842.html

Email reply:

From: Eddie Baddie <[email protected]>
Date: March 31, 2018 at 7:34:29 PM CDT
To: <REDACTED>
Cc: <REDACTED - SAME ADDRESS>
Subject: Re: #@**%@&+&$&+$@*+1,500 sqft@#@&&++home+@@@(New Orleans, LA)@$

Hello,

Thanks for your interest and inquiries about my house. Yes the house is still available for rent and we are looking for a responsible person/family to occupy and maintain the house now that we are not around. Myself and wife just traveled to Rhode island for a program called SERVING IN MISSION (SIM), you can view the link for more info: (https://www.sim.org/about). ;

We will be away for 6 to 7 years or more that is why I have made up my mind to put up my house for rent to whom ever that will take good care of it. However, my initial plan was to sell the house but it was not successful because the Realtor raised the price which made it difficult for me to sell before leaving the States so never mind if you see the for sale sign in front of the house, It has already been taken off the market as for sale so there is no need to contact any Realtor.

Also how long do you intend to stay? How soon do you intend to move in?

FEATURES : Laundry, Electric Range, Electric Heat, Master Bedroom.

AMENITIES: Air Conditioning, Cable TV, Ceiling Fans, 24 hours Internet service, Dishwasher, Garbage Disposal, Microwave, Pets Friendly, Refrigerator, Washer / Dryer.

Rental Price: $1000 per month and security Deposit is $800 (Security Deposit is Refundable) Utilities included in monthly rent.
Pets are Welcome.
Here is the address to the house: . 2438 General Pershing St,New Orleans, LA 70115
Bedroom: 3
Bathroom:2

Get back to me so i can forward you the rental application form i would want you to fill out and also do get back to me asap with your picture as well so i can know
whom i am renting my house to.

Text (346) 258-1231 for more information
Regards.
Mr & Mrs René Palacio Baldie...

Sent using Zoho Mail

Warning signs:
* Zillow.com listed the previous rental for this property much higher, and it's much lower than the area average rental for an apartment that size.

* They ask to bypass the realtor.