Rental Scam - [email protected]

BRANDON J.B RENTALHOMES < [email protected] > wrote:

Hello xxxx

Thanks for showing interest in my apartment

This is Brandon James Battle (CPM)

The 1 bedroom suite you are interested in is located Fremont Mews 1400 P St, Sacramento, CA 95814 and it is a month to month rental at $1,050 per month. Available for a minimum stay period of 1 month and maximum stay period of 6-12 months,

The Apartment is exactly like in the pictures posted on Craigslist and I’d like to know if you will be having any pets and if so would like you to share some information about the pet.i would like to know a little something about you.like how many persons you intend to live in the apartment? And how long? Where are you presently?

Please note: You are to make an advance DEPOSIT which is one full month rental fee plus a refundable Security Deposit of $1,050 which enable you reserve and secure the apartment for your choosing date. The advance payment is required before check-in day.

Also note: The security fee will be refunded back to you, hence, the security fee is not applied toward rental fee however it is fully refundable on the day of your departure, provided all the amenities in the unit are met.

The apartment With new kitchen cabinets, and renovated bathroom. New
and quality appliances including dishwasher, oven, ceramic hob and
fire alarm system. It is fully air-conditioned, new boiler(instant
hot),cordless Phone, bedding and towels. Microwave oven, gas cooker,
and other appliances for cooking needs, Washer and dryer in unit,
High-speed internet. Flat screen TV connected to apple TV.

There's a secure parking space for you to park car if you will be
coming with one. Utilities covered are electricity, water, gas, cable,
telephone, Internet and garbage disposal.

The apartment is in a peaceful neighborhood and very good for
commuting and very close to stores, malls etc.

Move in estimate for 1 month at a glance, after which you make extension at your arrival / if you choose to enroll into our promo package.

-MONTHLY RENT=$1,050
-SECURITY DEPOSIT=$1,050
(Will be refunded back to you when leaving the apartment
-TOTAL AMOUNT=$2,100

Kindly get back to me if you are interested so I can send you the Rental Reservation Agreement Booking form to fill for reservation and the Bank info you will be sending the deposit payment via Bank Deposit to the Attorney/Private property owner. I'll look forward to your swift response as there's lots of interest are coming in for the apartment

I look forward to your email and should you need more information,I am at your disposal

Thanks for your time

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.

He tried to pull this with me in Chicago. He even send photoshopped licenses and certificates to prove he was a real estate agent. He stated he could not show me the apartment and could only mail me The keys after I paid. Clearly I said no